The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now accepting applications for the two-year extension of the Bundled Payment for Care Improvement—Advanced (BPCI-A) model. The model extension is open to current and new participants. Current participants do not need to reapply, but can continue by signing an amended participation agreement.
Interested acute care hospitals, physician group practices, and Medicare accountable care organizations may apply through the designated application portal through May 31. CMS will release target pricing information and baseline data to applicants in September and announce selected participants in December for a January 2024 model start date.
The BPCI-A alternative payment model launched in 2018 to test whether bundling Medicare payments for certain inpatient and outpatient care reduces spending and improves quality. The model was scheduled to end on December 31, 2023. The two-year extension, which CMS announced in October, continues the model through December 31, 2025, adjusting the payment methodology and modifying the participation requirements.
CMS will hold a webinar on March 9 to discuss the extension and request for applications. Additional details are available in CMS’s performance year 7 fact sheet and applicant resources page.