On June 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) committed $10 million over the next three years to fund a second round of the Support and Alignment Networks under the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI). The TCPI program was designed to help clinicians and their practices transform the way in which they deliver care. The second round of funding for the Support and Alignment Networks is intended to leverage primary and specialist care transformation work and learning to spur the adoption of Alternative Payment Models under the new Quality Payment Program, which was part of the proposed Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) regulation.

Takeaway: Under the second round, competitive applicants will have received commitments to enroll at least 5,000 eligible clinicians ready to improve their practices by enhancing quality and lowering costs. Final applications are due to CMS by July 11. CMS anticipates announcing awards in the fall.