Medicare develops innovative models, demonstrations, and pilot projects to test and measure the effect of potential changes in Medicare. These projects help to find new ways to improve health care quality and reduce costs, and sometimes offer you extra benefits and services. Usually, they operate only for a limited time and for a specific group of people and/or are offered only in specific areas. Examples of current models, demonstrations, and pilot projects include innovations in primary care, care related to specific procedures (like hip and knee replacements), cancer care, skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation care, and care for people with EndStage Renal Disease (ESRD). Ask your doctor if they participate in these models, and what it means for your care.
To learn more about the current Medicare models, demonstrations, and pilot projects, call 1-800-MEDICARE.