D.C. Report: Senator Calls for Infinite ICD-10 Delay

Inside Health Policy reports that state officials say innovation awards for states “would allow states to combine their myriad initiatives into a cohesive whole that would supercharge state-based reforms.”

With the Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act around the corner, CMS is trying to find more opportunities to decrease costs and improve quality of care for patients.  Some states are already addressing their delivery and payment systems including: Arkansas, Oregon, Maryland, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  State-level solutions would be much less controversial than federal-level solutions.  Allowing states to apply for innovation awards would likely bring many different systems together (medical homes, shared savings programs, etc.) to make a more cohesive structure.

Read about the Healthcare Innovation Awards here.  So far, projects totaling about $122.6 million have been awarded out of $1 billion set aside for the innovation awards. The next set of awards are expected to be announced this month.