In which of the following ways does payment determination (risk score calculation) differ between HHS-HCCs...

A key ambulatory CDI distinction between the two major risk models is timing. The HHS-HCC model (used for ACA Marketplace risk adjustment) is commonly described as a concurrent model: it uses the enrollee’s demographics and diagnoses from the same benefit year to reflect morbidity and support that year’s risk transfer/payment balancing. In contrast, the CMS-HCC model (commonly applied in Medicare Advantage) is prospective: conditions documented and coded in the prior data collection year are used to predict expected cost for the following payment year. From an outpatient CDI perspective, this timing difference affects operational priorities. For CMS-HCC, accurate annual capture and recapture of active chronic conditions is essential because last year’s documented conditions drive next year’s risk score and revenue. For HHS-HCC, complete documentation and coding during the current year impacts the current year’s risk measurement. Options referencing CPT codes are not correct for the core HCC risk score calculation, which is driven by demographics and ICD diagnosis reporting mapped to HCC categories.