CMS Formally Launches Innovation Center - November 16, 2010

After much speculation, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) today formally announced the launch of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). NAPH Senior Vice President Lynne Fagnani joined representatives from other hospital, physician, nursing and insurance groups in a closed-door meeting to discuss the innovation center’s priorities, organization and work schedule. At the meeting, NAPH staff urged CMMI staff to look to safety net systems for seamless care models and encouraged them to create templates for Medicaid waivers. NAPH also encouraged CMS to enable Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations, even though they are not explicitly mentioned in the statute. In addition, NAPH CEO Bruce Siegel and other staff are meeting with CMMI Acting Director Richard Gilfillan, MD, on Friday, Nov. 19.