Get Ready for Bundled Payments: They’re Coming Your Way.

The fact that the CMS is extending its three-year voluntary Bundled Payments for Care Improving pilot and has launched the mandatory bundled payment project, Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement in 7 markets leads experts to conclude that bundled payments are here to stay and will be expanded. Bundled payments mean case managers need to manage the length of stay and choice of post-acute options more closely than ever before and make sure that patients receive the most cost-effective and efficient care to meet their individual needs. Even if their hospital isn't part of a bundled payment program, case managers should prepare for the future by cementing relationships with post-acute providers and analyzing the variability in cost of care and patient outcomes and identifying opportunities for improvement. Relationships with post-acute providers are critical and should go beyond getting to know the staff, and include sharing patient data.