State Innovation Models Initiative: General Information
The State Innovation Models (SIM) initiative partners with states to advance multi-payer health care payment and delivery system reform models. Each state-led model aims to achieve better quality of care, lower costs, and improved health for the population of the participating states or territory. The initiative is testing the ability of state governments to utilize policy and regulatory levers to accelerate health system transformation to meet these aims. SIM has supported over half of states representing 61 percent of the U.S. population: 38 total awardees include 34 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.

Through two rounds, SIM has supported model “test” awardees and model “design” awardees by providing funding, learning tools, and expert technical assistance.

Model Test Awards allow states to implement and test strategies for health system transformation that meet the specific needs of their state’s residents.

Model Design and Pre-Test Awards allow states and territories to plan and design strategies for health system transformation that meet the specific needs of their state’s residents.
Award recipients engage a diverse group of stakeholders, including public and commercial payers, providers, and consumers, in order to develop or implement a state innovation plan. The state’s innovation plan outlines its strategy to use all available levers to transform its health care payment and delivery system through multi-payer reform and other state-led initiatives.