CMS Proposes “Pathways to Success,” an Overhaul of Medicare’s ACO Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would overhaul the Medicare Shared Savings Program. This program, established by the Affordable Care Act, is the program through which most of Medicare's Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) operate. Presently, for the first six years ACOs receive a shared savings payment from CMS when they keep costs down, but do not have to pay taxpayers back when costs are high, allowing them to transition to a new service delivery model without risk. The proposed rule would reduce the amount of time that an ACO can remain in the program without taking on risk in an effort to discourage market consolidation which may reduce choices for patients and increase costs.Comments are being accepted through October 16, 2018.
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - Category: Rural Health Source Type: news