Situation Report | June 29, 2020
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the Medicare Care Choices Model (MCCM) through December 31, 2021.
Under CMS’s extension, participating hospices will be able to enroll eligible beneficiaries through June 30, 2021 and provide MCCM services through December 31, 2021. The extension will not affect the model’s other existing operations or policies.
This extension applies only to those hospices currently participating in the model; no new hospices will be enrolled. CMS will contact hospices participating in the model in the coming days and invite them to apply for the voluntary extension.
CMS believes the extension will allow more Medicare beneficiaries to access supportive care. MCCM tests a new option for Medicare beneficiaries to receive supportive care services from selected hospice providers. The model evaluates whether those services can improve the quality of life and care received by Medicare beneficiaries, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce Medicare expenditures.
For questions or concerns, please contact the MCCM model team at CareChoices@cms.hhs.gov or the HCA Public Policy staff.