The request for applications (RFA) for the GUIDE Model is expected to be released by CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) in November 2023. The GUIDE Model is a dementia-specific care model aimed at supporting the patient – and their unpaid caregiver – in the home setting, allowing the patient to remain in the community for as long as possible. While this is an 8-year long pilot project, CMS has said that this may be the only application period for GUIDE. Which means that if your organization does not get on board now, you may not get another chance.
So why should you want to be a part of GUIDE? This is a strong opportunity for you to fund and sustain your non-hospice serious illness care for families coping with dementia. Eligibility for GUIDE starts with patients with just mild dementia and continues as long as needs exist. Developing a relationship with families so far upstream allows for truly proactive care, establishes a patient-driven care plan when it will be the most impactful, prevents unnecessary suffering and burden for the caregiver, and builds loyalty to your organization for all future services. Also, the networking components that are inherent in GUIDE will move your organization forward within your care continuum and create partnership opportunities that will serve you well in multiple ways. The post-acute care providers who are GUIDE providers will establish a powerful position within their market within this patient population.
If you are choosing to take advantage of the GUIDE opportunity, the timeline is important. As we expect the RFA at any time, now is the time to educate yourself on the model and start preparation conversations at your organization. The application deadline will probably be very quick, as CMS is expecting participation agreements to be finalized in the Spring of 2024, which means that application, application approval, and conditions of participation review must happen between now and then. Care is expected to begin for those in the Established Program Track by July 1, 2024. Again, CMS has stated that there may not be any additional application windows for GUIDE, so this may be your sole opportunity to get on board. Especially in consideration of this tight timeline, Acclivity stands ready to support your application, planning, and implementation work to empower your organization to achieve and succeed with the GUIDE Model.
Source Material:
“Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model” by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and accessible at https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide