Geographic Direct Contracting (GEO) Model: Regional Overview

Is the CMS Geographic Direct Contracting Model right for you?

 

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Overview

On December 3, 2020, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially announced the release of the Geographic Direct Contracting Model (Geo).
 
This report dives into the potential Geo regions, presents benchmarks, and compares metrics of the aligned and unaligned patient populations. Please note that the report is based on preliminary results, we are still in the process of interpreting the most recent CMS released instructions on defining patient populations.
 
Learn more about the Geo Model on the CareJourney blog!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Geo model? 

The Geo model will test whether a geographic-based approach to value-based care can improve quality of care and reduce costs from Medicare beneficiaries across the entire region leveraging a set of best practices from prior Innovative models.  Geo DCEs will be taking responsibility for the total cost of care for a set of Medicare beneficiaries in an entire region, thereby encouraging DCEs to partner with community organizations in a given region to create the most effective care network.

The 15 CBSA are candidate regions announced by CMS and can be found here

Eligible beneficiaries includes beneficiaries who meet all of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B;
  • Not Enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other Medicare managed care plan;
  • Do not have Medicare as a secondary payer (please note that our analysis does not leverage this criteria);
  • Resident of the United States;
  • Reside in a county that is included in the DCE service area.

Aligned beneficiaries are beneficiaries that meet the Eligibility criteria mentioned above and have received a PQEM or Primary Care service within the alignment timeframe.
Please refer to Appendix B: Beneficiary Alignment Procedures of the Financial Guide for additional detail regarding beneficiary alignment.

Unaligned beneficiaries are beneficiaries that meet the Eligibility criteria mentioned above, but have not received a PQEM or Primary Care service within the alignment timeframe.
Please refer to Appendix B: Beneficiary Alignment Procedures of the Financial Guide for additional detail regarding beneficiary alignment.

The Per Beneficiary Per Month (PBPM) calculation includes Part B, Inpatient, Outpatient, Home Health, Skilled Nursing Facility, Hospice, and DME.

The Average Adjusted HCC Score is based on the CMS-HCC Non-ESRD Perspective v22 model.

Please reach out to your main point of contact at CareJourney for more information and/or additional support regarding applying for the Geo model. If you do not have a main point of contact at CareJourney, please reach out to jumpstart@carejourney.com.

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