On August 23rd, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation announced a new 1115A Medicaid demonstration, the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model. This new payment and local service delivery model will focus on early identification and treatment of behavioral and physical health needs to reduce spending and improve the quality of care for children who are covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The development of the InCK model is part of a multi-pronged strategy to combat the nation’s opioid crisis.
State Medicaid agencies and lead organizations providing children’s services may submit applications under the InCK Model with the goals of:
- Improving child health outcomes, including preventing substance use disorder;
- Reducing avoidable inpatient stays and out of home placement, including foster care; and
- Creating sustainable Alternative Payment Models (APMs) that ensure provider accountability for cost and quality outcomes.
A summary of the InCK model is attached. Additional information on the model is available here and a fact sheet is available here. CMS anticipates releasing a Notice of Funding Opportunity with additional details in Fall 2018.