U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced second round of Health Care Innovation Awards, a nearly $1 billion initiative that will fund projects to transform the health care system by delivering better care and lowering costs.

“These awards will continue our work to drive down health care costs while providing high quality care to all Americans, and I’m excited to see the innovative ideas these applicants will bring to the table,” Sebelius said.

Last year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded 107 round one Health Care Innovation Awards (out of nearly 3,000 applications) to organizations that are currently testing innovative solutions to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

This second round of Health Care Innovation Awards differs from the first round in that CMS is specifically seeking innovations in four areas: rapidly reducing costs for patients with Medicare and Medicaid in outpatient hospital and other settings; improving care for populations with specialized needs; testing improved financial and clinical models for specific types of providers, including specialists; and linking clinical care delivery to preventive and population health. Like the first round, these awards will emphasize results and ensure program integrity.

More than 15 innovation awards were given to groups in California in 2012. To see the awards given to California innovators, click here.

For more information, please visit the Health Care Innovation Awards initiative website.

If your organization is interested in applying for one of these grants, CMS Innovation Center staff is hosting a webinar to provide an overview of the Health Care Innovation Awards and to answer questions. Advance registration is required. The webinar will be held Tuesday, May 28 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Click here to register.