Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model; Delay of Effective Date

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) delayed the effective date of a new track within the existing Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) bundled payment model from Feb. 18 until Mar. 21. The new CJR track, which requires hospital and physician practice participants to demonstrate use of certified electronic health record technology, qualifies as an Advanced Alternative Payment Model under MACRA. The delay is in accordance with a White House memorandum which postpones the effective date of any regulations originally scheduled to take effect within the first 60 days of the new administration.