CMS is delaying the start of the Primary Care First model for seriously ill populations by three months, the agency said last week.
According to CMS, the Primary Care First option for general practices will begin on January 1, as scheduled. But the Seriously Ill Population component won't kick off until April 1.
"Consequently, practices accepted to both components will begin their participation in the PCF component three months before they begin their participation in the SIP component," CMS said in a notice.
Participants that applied for the general practice option will find out if they were accepted this summer, while seriously ill-only applicants will get notified in the fall.
"Payers that submitted PCF and SIP partnership proposals can expect to receive notice of their status this summer," CMS said.
Primary Care First is a voluntary alternative payment model aiming to lower Medicare spending by cutting back on avoidable inpatient hospital admissions and improving care coordination for people with complex chronic conditions and serious illness.
Advanced primary care practices, including Medicare providers that deliver hospice or palliative care services, can accept responsibility under the Seriously Ill Population option for seriously ill patients that don't have a primary care provider or someone to coordinate their care.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated when CMS announced the change.
