HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the new ”State Innovation Models Initiative”, a competitive funding opportunity so that States can develop and test multi-payer payment and delivery models to deliver high quality healthcare and improve health system performance.
States can apply for either Model Testing awards to assist in implementing their already developed models, or Model Design awards that will provide funding and technical assistance as they determine what type of system improvements would work best for them.
Up to five states will be chosen for the initial round of Model Testing awards and up to 25 states will be chosen for Model Design awards. Up to $275 million is available in funding, including $50 million for Model Design and $225 million for Model Testing.
CMS expects to offer a second opportunity for all states to apply for a Model Testing award next year. State Innovation Models initiative applications will be evaluated and reviewed by an independent review panel, CMS and its independent Office of the Actuary.
To learn more about this new initiative, CMS Innovation Center staff will be hosting a webinar Thursday July 26, 2012 at 3:00PM (ET). To register, call 1-877-306-0462. Conference ID: 8055039.
For more information, go to www.innovation.com.govinitiatives/State-innovations or go to www.grants.gov (July 19, 2012).
