ln May 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for a second round of 13 ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) to participate in the Comprehensive ESRD Care (CEC) model. Applications are due by July 15. Thirteen additional ESCOs will be announced Oct. 7 to test the new payment and service delivery options for ESRD beneficiaries. ESCOs that are accepted through this second application round will begin using the model in January 2017.

Each ESCO must have at least one of each of a dialysis facility and a nephrologist and/or nephrology practice.

The ESCO must be capable of receiving and distributing shared savings payments; repaying shared losses, if applicable; establishing reporting mechanisms and ensuring ESCO participant compliance with program requirements, including but not limited to quality performance standards.

Other Medicare-enrolled providers and suppliers—except durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers, ambulance suppliers or drug and device manufacturers—can join the ESCO as participant owners, but are not mandatory participants required for eligibility.

Questions about the Comprehensive ESRD Care initiative application can be sent to ESRD-CMMI@cms.hhs.gov.