Final Rule – Episode Payment Models
In December 2016, CMS finalized their rule on Episode Payment Models (EPMs) which would reward hospitals that work together with physicians and other providers to avoid complications, prevent hospital readmissions and speed recovery. Under the new models, acute care hospitals in certain geographic areas will participate in retrospective episode payment models targeting care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries receiving services during acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and surgical hip/femur fracture treatment (SHFFT).