Regulators have extended the deadline by which states can apply for $275 million in grants to help design and test new payment models in Medicare and Medicaid.

States now have until Sept. 24 to apply for State Innovation Models Initiative grants, which are being made available by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the agency announced Friday. CMS will award a total of $225 million in Model testing awards, via the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. It also will give $50 million in Model Design awards to up to 25 states.

Long-term care facilities stand to benefit from such initiatives as they rely partly on partnerships between acute and post-acute providers that work together to lower costs, and coordinate care for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Click here for more information on the grants.