Trump Team Prepares to Put Stamp on Medicare Innovation

U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and innovation official Adam Boehler expect to introduce at least six trials over the next half-year at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), reports Politico Pro . They say the goal of the projects is to transition medical payment to better reward physicians and hospitals for providing quality and efficient healthcare. Upcoming CMMI projects include a new way for providers to perform emergency triage, treatment, and transport; a new strategy for developing insurance plans to incentivize quality, efficient care; and a new course in an existing initiative to bolster primary care. Other pilots could concentrate on better kidney care, establishing a network of preferred providers, and broadening use of direct contracts between payers and providers. A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) spokesperson says beneficiaries are the top priority, and CMS is soliciting input from stakeholders via model-specific listening sessions, webinars, and informational sessions.