Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Medicare, Medicaid, and Value-Based Purchasing: Encouraging Development of New Patient Care Models

Sec. 3021 Establishment of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation will test the ability of payment and delivery models to decrease costs and improve or maintain the quality of care.40 The ACA identifies potential test models including one that coordinates care for “chronically-ill applicable individuals at high risk of hospitalization through a health information technology-enabled provider network that includes care coordinators, a chronic disease registry, and home tele-health technology.”41 Please see the Medicare section for more information. 

Sec. 3023 National Pilot Program on Payment Bundling

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create a pilot program to test the impact of bundled payments on the quality and efficiency of care.42 Please see the Medicare section for more information.

Sec. 3024 Independence at Home Demonstration Program

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must implement the Independence at Home Demonstration Program to test the ability of Independence at Home Medical Practices to improve outcomes and reduce costs.43 The ACA defines Independence at Home Medical Practices as entities that, among other attributes, use health information technology and electronic health records.44 Participating entities will have to submit data pertaining to quality measures.45 Please see the Medicare section for more information.

Sec. 3025 Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. This program will reduce hospital payments based upon the readmission rate of Medicare patients.46 Please see the Medicare section for more information.

Sec. 3026 Community-Based Care Transitions Program

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create a “Community-Based Care Transitions Program.” The program will provide community-based organizations with funding to implement interventions designed to aid high-risk Medicare patients as they transition from hospitalization to community care.47 Please see the Medicare section for more information.