Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation: Upcoming Webinar - July 26th, 3 - 4pm ET

Announcing New State Innovation Models InitiativeThe Department of Health and Human Services today announced a new initiative for States to design and test improvements to their health care systems that would bolster health care quality and decrease costs.The State Innovation Models initiative is a competitive funding opportunity for States to design and test multi-payer payment and delivery models that deliver high-quality health care and improve health system performance.States can apply for either Model Testing awards which are intended to assist in implementing their already developed models, or states can apply for the Model Design awards that will provide funding and technical assistance as they determine what type of system improvements would work best for them. Up to five states will be chosen for the initial round of Model Testing awards and up to 25 states will be chosen for Model Design awards. CMS anticipates offering a second opportunity for all states to apply for a Model Testing award next year.Upcoming WebinarTo learn more about this new initiative, CMS Innovation Center staff will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm ET to provide an overview of the State Innovation Models initiative.WHAT: Webinar: State Innovation Models Initiative OverviewWHEN: Thursday, July 26, 2012   3:00pm - 4:00pm ETWHERE: Sign up to register.  1-877-306-0462 | Conference ID: 8055039Participants are strongly encouraged to use the web link for full access to the presentation. If you are unable to hear audio via your computer speakers or would prefer to listen via the telephone, please dial 877-306-0462 and enter Conference ID 8055039 when prompted. Please connect to the webinar and dial in 10 minutes early to ensure that you are joined into the webinar.If you are unable to join, the slides, audio recording and transcript will be made available following the webinar.The 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.