Comparison
CMS TEAM VS BPCI
TheCMS Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) is a mandatory five-year bundled-payment program for 741 selected acute-care hospitals across five surgical episodes with a30-day post-discharge window.Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) is a voluntary program covering 37+ clinical episodes across both inpatient and outpatient settings, with a longer90-day episode window. The two programs can overlap (hospitals may participate in both), but TEAM rules take precedence for double-counted encounters.
Side-by-Side
| Attribute | CMS TEAM | BPCI |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Mandatory For 741 Selected Acute-Care Hospitals | Voluntary Opt-In For Eligible Providers |
| Start Date | January 1, 2026 | October 2018 (Currently In Extended Performance Years) |
| Duration | 5 Performance Years (2026–2030) | Open-Ended Through CMS Extensions |
| Episode Anchor | Day Of Qualifying Surgical Procedure (Inpatient) | Day Of Qualifying Clinical Episode (Inpatient Or Outpatient) |
| Episode Length | 30 Days Post-Discharge | 90 Days Post-Discharge |
| Episode Types | 5 Surgical: CABG, LEJR, Major Bowel, SHFFT, Spinal Fusion | 37+ Clinical Episodes Including Medical, Surgical, And Procedural |
| Provider Scope | Acute-Care Hospitals Paid Under IPPS, In Selected Cbsas | Acute-Care Hospitals And Physician Group Practices Nationwide |
| Risk Structure | 3 Tracks: Track 1 (No Downside Risk), Track 2 (Lower Risk/reward), Track 3 (Full Risk) | Single Downside-Risk Structure Across All Participants |
| Quality Measurement | Composite Quality Score (CQS): 6 Measures Including Readmission, PSI-90, PRO-PM | BPCI Advanced Quality Measures, Varying By Episode |
| Safety-Net Flexibility | Up To 3 Years In Track 1 (No Downside Risk) For Safety-Net Hospitals | None Specifically Designed For Safety-Net Hospitals |
| Patient Population | Medicare Part A & B Fee-For-Service Beneficiaries | Medicare Part A & B Fee-For-Service Beneficiaries |
| Termination | Hospital Cannot Opt Out (Mandatory) | Provider Can Withdraw Between Performance Years |
Common Questions
Is BPCI Advanced replaced by CMS TEAM?
No. BPCI Advanced and CMS TEAM are separate programs. BPCI Advanced is a voluntary, broad-spectrum bundled-payment model that continues to operate. TEAM is a mandatory, focused five-year program targeting five surgical episodes at 741 selected acute-care hospitals. Some hospitals participate in both.
If our hospital was in BPCI Advanced, are we automatically in TEAM?
Not automatically — but former and current BPCI Advanced participants make up a meaningful portion of the 741 TEAM-mandated hospitals. CMS selected TEAM participants based on Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) and Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) status, with BPCI Advanced and CJR experience as factors. Check the full list at /cms-team/participating-hospitals to confirm.
Can a hospital participate in both BPCI Advanced and TEAM?
Yes. Hospitals can participate in both programs simultaneously. CMS has published overlap rules to prevent double-counting of episodes — for episode types and patient encounters that qualify under both, TEAM rules generally take precedence for the affected encounters.
What's the biggest operational difference between TEAM and BPCI Advanced?
Episode length and risk structure. TEAM's 30-day episode is shorter than BPCI Advanced's 90-day window, which changes post-acute partnership economics. TEAM's three-track risk structure (including a no-downside-risk Track 1) gives hospitals a smoother on-ramp than BPCI Advanced's single risk profile. TEAM's mandatory participation also forces operational change that voluntary BPCI Advanced participants could elect to skip.