CMS doles out $360 to test innovative care models

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced its second batch of recipients in round two of the Health Care Innovation Awards program, bringing the total to $360 million handed out for organizations to test innovative care models. The 39 prospective recipients will receive grants worth between $2 million and $23.8 million over a three-year period, according to an announcement. CMS named 12 prospective recipients in May and funded 107 organizations in 2012 in round one. Round two focused on projects to reduce costs in outpatient or post-acute settings, improve care for people with special needs, transform provider financial and clinical models, or improve health conditions defined by geographic area, socioeconomic class and clinical category. Examples of this year's recipients include projects to improve care for people living with HIV/AIDS, support frail elderly patients in the community, reduce unnecessary use of emergency departments and promote better rural care coordination and telehealth. Read the full article at FierceHealthIT