The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Dec. 4 published a final rule to establish a new mandatory Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model that aims to increase access to kidney transplants. Overall, the agency maintained the broad parameters to largely base performance-based payment incentives and penalties for 103 selected hospitals on the increases in the number of kidney transplants performed, compared to a three-year historical baseline and national growth trends. The CMS finalized the model specifications with modifications, including a delayed model start to July 1, 2025, in response to AAMC and other invested party feedback [refer to Washington Highlights, July 19].
The rule also establishes standard provisions that will apply to the Radiation Oncology Model, the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model, and mandatory Innovation Center models, including the IOTA Model, whose first performance period begins on or after Jan. 1, 2025.