There is an important deadline fast approaching on March 25, 2022, for healthcare providers wanting to participate in the second cohort of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model.
The KCC model provides financial incentives for high-quality, efficient care of Medicare patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages 4 or 5 and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). There are four options for participation that vary by payment methodology and healthcare providers participation eligibility.
KCC Model Options:
- CMS Kidney Care First (KCF) Option – This option is available to nephrologists and nephrology professionals. They are eligible to receive adjusted capitation payments for managing the care of Medicare patients with CKD stage 4 or 5 and ESRD.
- Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting (CKCC) – There are three options under this model that are available to Kidney Contracting Entities (KCEs), which include nephrologists and transplant providers. Dialysis facilities and other providers are optional. CKCC participants also receive capitated payments but can select an option to align with their risk tolerance.
Timing & Process
The first cohort of the KCC Model began January 1, 2022. This latest request for applications is for cohort #2 (again, applications are due 3/25/22, and CMS will announce decisions on May 13, 2022). Cohort #2 will begin on January 1, 2023. CMS does not plan to solicit any additional participation after this second cohort, so any healthcare providers that may be interested are encouraged to apply now.
The Application and More Information
To file an application, healthcare providers need to complete the Qualtrics form here. More detailed information can be obtained directly from CMS here: [Request for Applications]
For additional information about the KCC Model and participation options, feel free to contact our Healthmap experts at https://hub.healthmapsolutions.com/contact