The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has unveiled the new Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive, an optional Beneficiary Engagement Incentive (BEI) for clinicians seeking to manage beneficiaries’ symptoms with up to $500 worth annually of select hemp products. The Administration is looking to explore ways that eligible hemp products might be integrated to manage severe patient symptoms, such as those associated with oncology care. “Eligible hemp products” include federally legal hemp-derived products containing very low doses of delta-9 THC in oral forms (like tablets or herbal tinctures). Inhalable products are expressly prohibited, as well as any containing more than 3 mg per serving of THC.  

Model participants in the ACO REACH and Enhancing Oncology models may begin offering the Substance Access BEI immediately; Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) models may offer the incentive starting January 1, 2027.