Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012
This Week's News
Opportunities will knock during AMA Research Symposium
ACA ruling means lower costs, more uninsured patients than expected
EHR system adoption is up, but few doctors receive incentive payments
HHS program to advance state-led health care system innovations
This Week's News
HHS program to advance state-led health care system innovations
A $275 million grant program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aims to help states pursue health system innovations that deliver high-quality health care and improve health system performance.
Through the State Innovation Models Initiative, the agency is seeking to harness the expertise and insight of local leaders in implementing multi-payer health care models that can improve their community's health status and decrease long-term health risks for patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
"As a former governor, I've seen states in action and know what great laboratories they are for innovations we can put into practice nationwide," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a news release.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate how they will engage local health care stakeholders, including physicians, in their efforts. These grants will provide an opportunity for state medical societies and local physician leaders to be involved in their states' planning and implentation efforts.
States have until Sept. 17 to apply for one of two grants. The model design grant, which will be awarded to as many as 25 states, is intended to provide financial and technical support for states that are still determining the best way to transform their health care systems. The model testing grant, which will be awarded to no more than five states, is designed to help states implement payment and delivery system models they already have developed.
HHS anticipates that the majority of applicants will base their models on approaches already established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, such as affordable care organizations, bundled payment models and medical homes. But the grant program also allows states to pursue new pathways.
The agency plans to announce the award winners in November.
Physicians can count on the AMA to help them navigate the transformation in delivery and payment. As part of its new strategic direction, the AMA is committed to identifying and promoting models that demonstrate high quality care and value while preserving physicians' professional satisfaction and practice sustainability. Read more in a recent blog post by AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD.
