Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI), Practice Transformation Networks (PTN) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) Practice Transformation Networks (PTN) funding opportunity?

The TCPI PTN funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number CMS-1L1-15-003) was a discretionary federal grant competition run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Its purpose was to accelerate large-scale improvements in how clinical practices deliver care by funding Practice Transformation Networks (PTNs) that directly support clinicians and practices through a multi-phase transformation process.

Which federal agency ran this grant competition?

The competition was run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number was CMS-1L1-15-003.

What type of federal award was TCPI PTN structured as?

This opportunity was structured as a cooperative agreement. That structure signaled that awardees were expected to actively partner with CMS, rather than operate entirely independently, while guiding clinicians through practice transformation.

What did CMS mean by "Practice Transformation Networks" (PTNs)?

PTNs were intended to be regional or multi-regional support organizations that work directly with clinicians and their practices. PTN awardees were expected to collaboratively lead participating practices through TCPI phases of transformation and help them meet TCPI goals.

What was the core purpose of funding PTNs?

The core purpose was to build capacity for hands-on, large-scale practice support so clinical practices could improve care delivery, use performance data effectively, and transition into evolving models of care, particularly as the health system shifted toward value-based care, coordinated services, better outcomes, and reduced costs.

What does "multi-phase practice transformation" refer to in this opportunity?

Based on the description, awardees were expected to guide practices through TCPI phases of transformation. The specific phases are referenced as part of TCPI, with the expectation of structured, staged transformation support rather than one-time technical assistance.

What is meant by "adaptive redesign" in the context of this FOA?

The FOA emphasized not only short-term performance improvement, but also adaptive redesign so that practices could become sustainable in a rapidly changing health care delivery system, especially as reimbursement and expectations moved toward value-based payment and delivery.

What kinds of organizations were expected to apply?

Eligibility was aimed at organizations that already had established relationships with multiple clinicians and practices and could receive data from those practices. The description points to networks, associations, health systems, quality improvement organizations, conveners, or similar groups positioned to mobilize many practices and track progress using practice-level data.

Did applicants need existing relationships with clinicians and practices?

Yes. The opportunity emphasized applicants that already had established relationships with multiple clinicians and practices, indicating CMS was looking for applicants with operational connectivity to frontline care.

Did applicants need the ability to receive data from participating practices?

Yes. Eligibility was aimed at organizations that could receive data from the practices they supported, reflecting an expectation that awardees would collect, use, and act on practice-level data to drive improvement.

Was the goal limited to short-term improvement projects?

No. The emphasis included short-term performance improvement and longer-term sustainability through adaptive redesign, positioning practices to remain viable as health care continued moving toward value-focused payment and delivery.

How many awards did CMS anticipate making?

CMS anticipated making about 35 awards.

What was the estimated total funding amount for the competition?

The estimated total funding amount was $670,000,000.

What was the expected funding range for individual awards?

Individual awards were expected to range from $2,000,000 (floor) to $50,000,000 (ceiling).

Was there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

What did the lack of a matching requirement imply for applicants?

Based on the description, removing a matching requirement lowered a common barrier to entry and allowed a wider range of organizations (including mid-sized and very large networks) to compete without needing to provide non-federal matching funds.

Under what authority was TCPI rooted?

The program was rooted in CMS authority under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. That provision established the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and allows CMS to test and scale care and payment models that improve quality and reduce costs.

What is CMMI and how does it relate to this opportunity?

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) was established under section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The TCPI PTN opportunity was described as being rooted in that authority, aligning the program with CMS efforts to test and scale models that improve quality and reduce costs.

What is the CFDA number associated with this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 93.638 (ACA Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative Practice Transformation Networks).

What activity category was this opportunity listed under?

From a grant administration standpoint, the opportunity fell under the health activity category.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The original posting date was October 23, 2014.

When was the announcement created?

The announcement was created on December 5, 2014.

What was the original application closing date?

The original closing date was January 6, 2015.

Was the deadline extended?

Yes. The closing date was extended to February 5, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was March 7, 2015.

What location was noted in the listing?

Baltimore, Maryland was noted in the listing.

If an applicant had trouble accessing the full announcement, who was the public contact?

The public contact point was the Grants.gov Contact Center.

What are the Grants.gov Contact Center details listed for this opportunity?

The listing provided: 1-800-518-4726 and support@grants.gov. The Contact Center was described as available 24/7 except federal holidays.

What was CMS trying to build through this FOA?

Overall, the FOA was described as CMS's mechanism for building a national infrastructure of practice support organizations capable of helping clinicians improve care delivery, use performance data effectively, and transition into new models of care.

What expectation did the cooperative agreement format create for awardees?

The cooperative agreement format underscored that PTNs were expected to work closely with CMS, with the shared aim of achieving measurable transformation and helping practices remain viable and high-performing as the system moved toward value-focused payment and delivery.