CMS Innovation Center Announces Participating Payers for Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative

Today the CMS Innovation Center announced agreements with 45 commercial, federal and State insurers in seven markets across the country to participate in the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative, a new multi-payer model designed to strengthen the primary care system and improve quality while lowering costs. Under the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative, CMS will pay primary care practices a care management fee to support enhanced, coordinated services. Simultaneously, participating commercial, State, and other payers are also offering an enhanced payment to primary care practices that provide high-quality primary care.  Insurers in Arkansas, Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon, New York’s Capital District-Hudson Valley Region, Ohio and Kentucky’s Cincinnati-Dayton Region, and greater Tulsa, Oklahoma signed agreements with CMS to participate in this initiative. Approximately 75 primary care practices will be selected to participate in the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative in each designated market. Interested primary care practices in each of the markets should complete the application pre-screen tool. This is the first step in applying for the program. Practices will not be allowed to submit an application without a completed application pre-screen tool.  The Comprehensive Primary Care initiative is a four-year initiative administered by the Innovation Center. Applications will be accepted until July 20. For more information on this initiative, visit innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/comprehensive-primary-care-initiativeThe CMS Innovation Center was created by the Affordable Care Act to test innovative payment and service delivery models that have the potential to reduce program expenditures while preserving or enhancing the quality of care. More information is at innovation.cms.gov.