The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), which tests new payment and care delivery models in Medicare fee-for-service, is ending four of its models early and not implementing two other models.  The “Center must be efficient and effective in its response,” according to a March 12, 2025 Fact Sheet posted on its website. “The Center regularly assesses and may amend model activities in response to a model’s projected savings, quality outcomes data, legal compliance, operational feasibility and gaps in expected versus actual impact.”

By terminating the following models by December 31, 2025, CMMI projects savings of $750 million:

• Maryland Total Cost of Care,
• Primary Care First,
• ESRD Treatment Choices
• Marking Care Primary models.

CMMI, acting on one of President Trump’s executive orders, will not implement the “Medicare $2 Drug list” and the “Accelerating Clinical Evidence.”

CMMI indicated these moves were made to better align its model portfolio with its commitment to testing and scaling innovative payment models that reduce costs and maintain or improve quality of care.

The announcement also notes that CMMI will soon share a new strategy focused on the principles of making “Americans healthier by preventing disease through evidence-based practices, empowering people with information to make better decisions, and driving choice and competition.”

CMMI also said that ending two primary care models does not signal a move away from primary care as a “foundational component” of CMMI’s strategy but instead an interest in pursuing different approaches.

All other active models have been determined to meet CMMI’s statutory mandate and strategic principles though some models may still undergo future modifications.