Essential insights to navigate the 30-day surgical episode model

CMS has finalized the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), a five-year, mandatory payment model (2026 launch). TEAM requires hospitals in selected CBSAs to manage cost and quality for 30-day surgical episodes, including LEJR, SHFFT, CABG, spinal fusion, and major bowel procedures. This revised guide reflects the final rule and gives your organization the essential details on risk tracks, quality scoring, timelines, and reporting obligations.

In this TEAM guide, we cover:

• Who Is Impacted
• How TEAM Episodes Are Structured
• Quality Measures and Composite Quality Scoring
• TEAM Timelines and Deadlines
• Risk Tracks (finalized participation pathways)
• Reconciliation, Stop-Gain/Stop-Loss & Post-Episode Adjustments
• Referral-to-Primary-Care Requirements (new discharge rule)
• Mandatory TEAM CBSAs
• How to prepare for CMS reporting