IOTA Final Rule Issued, Incentivizing Transplant Rates

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation issued a final rule for the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA) on November 26.

IOTA incentivizes increased transplant rates and places greater emphasis on achieving long-term post-transplant outcomes and boosting transparency about the process for transplant candidates.

The 600-page rule adopted suggestions from stakeholders, including the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the American Hospital Association. This included increasing the maximum upside payment participants may receive for success on a per-transplant basis from a proposed $8,000 to $15,000 and pushing back the start date to July 1, 2025. The mandatory payment model will be in effect for six years.

“The ASN leadership and I are optimistic that IOTA will catalyze more access to kidney transplantation for Americans who would benefit and bring these ambitious goals to provide optimal kidney care closer into reach,” ASN President Deidra Crews, MD, ScM, said in a statement.