The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants help from industry in setting up a center that would search for innovative healthcare delivery models and systems.
The health reform law called for CMS to test innovative payment and program service delivery methods to reduce Medicare and Medicaid costs while at the same time enhancing healthcare quality. For instance, healthcare IT experts have argued for physicians to be reimbursed for wireless health services to reduce costly face-to-face visits.
CMS said it wants to understand the procedures that public and private organizations use to research and develop innovative products and services, according to a May 14 announcement on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site
As conceived, the center would evaluate new methods to improve Medicare and Medicaid program performance, identify where potential problems might emerge and continuously monitor those areas. It would also assess new and smart healthcare delivery programs from federal agencies, universities, foundations and industry and patient advocacy groups, according to the notice.
CMS will use this research to develop "Medicare and Medicaid demonstrations and pilot programs to test the feasibility, cost effectiveness and quality outcomes of new healthcare delivery models," the notice said.
CMS anticipates a contract award for three years but lasting up to five years if the agency exercises options to extend it. Vendors have until June 1 to respond to CMS about their interest and expertise.
