Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI)

Requesting Reuse of CMS Data from a BPCI DUA

BPCI applicants that are interested to reuse the data received as part of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative for a different research purpose can apply for a new LDS DUA. Requests for a new DUA must be completed prior to the BPCI DUA expiration date.

If you would like to reuse the data you have received as part of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative for a different research purpose, you may apply for a new DUA (as stated on the; DUA: Limited Data Sets (LDS); page that can be accessed via CMS's privacy website. You will need to submit the following items to DataUseAgreement@cms.hhs.gov.

1. A cover letter which clearly states the DUA number which currently covers the files
2. A signed LDS DUA and DUA signature addenda, if needed, which includes Attachment A – Research Protocol describing the new research project being pursued

You will also need to pay a $600 administrative fee via Pay.gov. Please fill out the form completely and check the file category Limited Data Sets.

Overview of BPCI Initiative

The Affordable Care Act provides a number of new tools and resources to help improve health care and lower costs for all Americans. Bundling payment for services that patients receive across a single episode of care, such as heart bypass surgery or a hip replacement, is one way to encourage doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to work together to better coordinate care for patients both when they are in the hospital and after they are discharged. Such initiatives can help improve health, improve the quality of care, and lower costs.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working in partnership with providers to develop models of bundling payments through the Bundled Payments initiative. On August 23, 2011, CMS invited providers to apply to help test and develop four different models of bundling payments. Through the Bundled Payments initiative, providers have great flexibility in selecting conditions to bundle, developing the health care delivery structure, and determining how payments will be allocated among participating providers.

Further information about the Payment Bundling initiative can be found on the CMS website.

FAQs

The FAQs document at the bottom of the page (CMMI_FAQs.pdf) is a compilation of frequently asked questions to describe the Limited Data Sets (LDS) files and comment on their applicability to the bundled payment initiative.

Technical Assistance Q&A Sessions

The technical document at the bottom of the page (BPCI_Q&A_TechnicalSessions.pdf) includes the questions and answers that were prepared for each Technical Assistance Call.

Learning Series on Data for BPCI

Four webinars were conducted to provide information about understanding and working with the Limited Data Sets being provided for the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative. They are targeted at data analysts, data custodians, and other parties interested in learning about the structure and contents of these files. Slides, transcipts and audio from each webinar are included as links at the bottom of this page.

1. Technical Aspects of Data Delivery and File Processing
2. Understanding the Medicare LDS Denominator File
3. Understanding the Limited Data Set Utilization Files
4. Payment Variables Useful for Costing Bundled Payment Initiative Services

Contact

For questions about the data files provided, email resdac@umn.edu. Please reference Bundled Payments in the Subject line. Please include the DUA number and request ID.