The Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model provides funding opportunities to states and local organizations to test whether payment supporting integrated service delivery across behavioral health, physical health, and other child services reduces Medicaid and Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expenditures and improves the quality of care for covered children. The InCK Model will assist states and local communities in addressing priority health concerns for children, such as behavioral health challenges, including opioid and other substance use, and the effects of opioid use on families.

CMS will support Awardees in developing state-specific pediatric alternative payment models (APMs) that incorporate provider accountability and focus on meaningful improvements in care quality and health outcomes. Successful Awardees will use model funding to support infrastructure investments and activities necessary to support model planning and operations including (but not limited to): state and local investments in information technology, strategic planning and analysis for model design, model operations and staffing, and federal evaluation activities.

The InCK Model aims to empower states and local organizations to 1) Improve performance on priority measures of child health, including rates of substance and opiate use; 2) Reduce avoidable inpatient hospitalizations and out-of-home placements resulting from issues such as family instability driven by substance use; and 3) Create sustainable Alternative Payment Models (APMs) that ensure provider accountability for cost and quality outcomes.