The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the FY 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) proposed rule. Among the updates, key changes have been proposed to the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM)–particularly in the areas of quality measurement and care delivery.
To learn more about TEAM, here’s a comprehensive guide designed for orthopedic care teams. You can also listen to a recent panel discussion featuring expert orthopedic surgeons and executives from Geisinger and Newton-Wellesley Hospital as they explore cost accounting, digital care management and care coordination, PROMs collection, and more.
What’s Changing in Quality Measurement?
CMS is proposing two major modifications to TEAM’s quality measurement policies:
1. New Information Transfer PRO-PM
CMS proposes to add the Information Transfer Patient Reported Outcome-based Performance Measure (Information Transfer PRO-PM). This measure captures patient feedback on how well care teams communicated and coordinated information during transitions.
Why it matters:
- Focuses on the patient’s perspective in measuring care quality.
- Encourages hospitals to enhance communication during care transitions, especially post-discharge.
To ensure compliance, hospitals will have to administer this one-time 9 question survey between 2-7 days after a procedure. They will also have to submit that data through the Hospital Quality Reporting system, either directly or through a vendor. Learn how Force Therapeutics can help your organization seamlessly comply with the Information Transfer PRO-PM here.
2. Neutral Scoring for Missing Quality Data
For TEAM participants with insufficient quality data, CMS will apply a neutral quality measure score rather than penalizing them.
Why it matters:
- Reduces unintended negative consequences for smaller providers.
- Supports equitable participation and data-driven improvement.
Force Therapeutics has a proven track record of bolstering patient engagement and patient data capture throughout the episode of care–learn more here.
What’s Changing in Care Delivery?
CMS is also proposing impactful changes to TEAM care delivery components, aimed at simplifying requirements and removing barriers:
1. Expansion of the SNF 3-Day Rule Waiver
TEAM will expand use of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) 3-Day Rule Waiver, allowing beneficiaries to qualify for SNF care without a prior 3-day inpatient hospital stay.
Why it matters:
- Increases flexibility in post-acute care decisions.
- Supports quicker transitions to appropriate levels of care.
While some patients may still require SNF admission postoperatively, advancements in surgical techniques and understanding of recovery journeys has made this a more optional step in postoperative care; considering TEAM measures participant performance based primarily on cost expenditure within the first 30 days after surgery, a SNF admission can represent a significant obstacle to keeping costs below the participating hospital’s target price.
With Force Therapeutics preoperative optimization and postoperative recovery journeys, SNF utilization can be reduced substantially for select patients. By providing personalized care plans, including educational content, exercise videos, direct communication with care teams, and remote monitoring tools, Force enables patients to recover safely and effectively at home. Learn more here.
2. Removal of Health Equity Plans and Decarbonization and Resilience Initiatives
CMS is proposing to eliminate the voluntary components of TEAM asking hospitals to submit health equity plans and implementing decarbonization and resilience initiatives.
Why it matters:
- Reduces administrative burden.
- Streamlines participation while CMS evaluates other equity-related policies.
Just because it is not required under TEAM does not mean hospitals can’t choose to independently pursue health equity for their patients. Supporting health equity is part of the Force Therapeutics mission; this is why Force is available in both English and Spanish, and why most Force content is available for offline viewing for those who do not have access to broadband connections at home. In addition, Force reduces the cost and burden of postoperative care, particularly for patients who cannot take time off work, cannot secure childcare to attend appointments, have mobility issues, or cannot afford the cost of transportation.
Looking Ahead
With these changes, CMS is continuing its push toward more streamlined, patient-focused, and flexible episode-based payment models. By emphasizing patient-reported outcomes and reducing participation burdens, the TEAM model is evolving to better support hospitals in delivering high-value care.
Stakeholders can submit feedback on these proposed changes through June 10, 2025. CMS is encouraging public comment to help shape final policy.
Learn how Force Therapeutics supports providers with quality reporting and care delivery under TEAM. Book a demo today:
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