AHCA has released a new toolkit to support skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and post-acute care (PAC) providers preparing for the
Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM).
TEAM is a mandatory bundled payment model for hospitals beginning January 1, 2026, in selected Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). The model holds hospitals accountable for the cost and quality of care during 30-day episodes for five surgical procedures. It includes the 3-day SNF waiver, allowing eligible patients to be admitted to a SNF without a prior three-day hospital stay.
SNF and PAC providers can participate as TEAM collaborators, working with hospitals to improve care coordination and outcomes. All model participants and collaborators continue to bill Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) for covered services provided during the episode and are subject to a final reconciliation at the end of the performance year.
To help SNF and PAC providers evaluate their readiness and potential role as collaborators under TEAM, AHCA developed a provider toolkit. This resource is designed to:
- Inform providers about the TEAM model;
- Guide facilities in assessing the potential scope and impact of TEAM participation;
- Identify opportunities for partnerships with hospitals; and
- Assist facilities in assessing their TEAM-related data and effectively communicating their value to hospitals.
The toolkit includes:- TEAM Provider Resource
- TEAM Preparedness Checklist
- TEAM Data Tools Informational Guide
- TEAM Sharing Agreement Recommendations
The provider toolkit is available to members on the
AHCA/NCAL Reimbursement website. Please note a member log-in is required to access it.
TEAM Bundle Analysis for SNF/PAC ProvidersTo assist facilities in assessing the scope and impact of TEAM participation, the AHCA/NCAL Research Department developed data tools which include data at the national, state, and facility levels. The TEAM Top-Line Report, available through
LTC Trend Tracker, provides facility-level data including a summary of your facility against your state for TEAM Episodes and Average Length of Stay in 2024. The TEAM Bundle Analysis, available via the AHCA/NCAL
website - provides national and state-level episodic and discharge patterns of TEAM hospitals and SNFs. Both tools require member log-in for access.
AHCA held a
webinar on TEAM for providers on Tuesday, September 30 from 2:00-3:00pm EDT; a recording of this webinar is available
here.
The 2025 AHCA/NCAL Convention and Expo also features a
session on TEAM on Tuesday, October 21 from 9:30-10:30 am.
Please reach out to AHCA's Population Health Policy Analyst,
Rohini Achal or
Nisha Hammel, Vice President, Reimbursement Policy & Population Health with any questions.