What’s new: The CMS Innovation Center is revising the financial methodology and participation options and extending the Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model to help address early concerns about spending, while continuing quality improvements through 2027.
Why it matters: The KCC Model has shown significant improvements in quality of care, including an increase in home dialysis and home dialysis training, but also an increase in net spending, which is expected to reduce with changes to the model.
What to expect: Changes such as new discounts for participants that meet certain benchmarks, reducing the Chronic Kidney Disease Quarterly Capitation Payment and eliminating the kidney transplant bonus, will begin in 2026. In addition, the KCC model will be extended through 2027 for the continuation of quality care to beneficiaries.
Big picture: These changes reflect the Innovation Center’s foundational principle of protecting the federal taxpayer, ensuring that models are on a clear path to certification and expansion, and a renewed commitment to our statutory mandate to reduce costs while testing strategies to deliver high-quality, coordinated care to patients.
Additional details: Read more about changes to the KCC Model for Performance Year 2026, as well as a summary of findings from the latest evaluation supporting the need for these changes and extension.
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