CMS further delayed the effective date of updates to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model.
Initially scheduled for March 21, 2017, orthopedic bundled payment updates will now go into effect on May 20, 2017.
The interim final rule with comment period also delayed the effective date of confirming changes to CJR provisions scheduled for July 1, 2017, to October 1, 2017.
"This additional 3-month delay is necessary to allow time for additional review, to ensure that the agency has adequate time to undertake notice and comment rulemaking to modify the policy if modifications are warranted, and to ensure that in such a case participants have a clear understanding of the governing rules and are not required to take needless compliance steps due to the rule taking effect for a short duration before any potential modifications are effectuated," according to the HHS statement.
Additionally, the Advancing Care Coordination Through Episode Payment Models and Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model have been delayed until May 20, 2017.