First few Article Sentences
After months of anticipation and speculation the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued proposed rules relating to a voluntary Shared Savings Program for Medicare providers and suppliers participating in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Under the Shared Savings Program, providers and suppliers will continue to receive traditional Medicare fee-for-service payments under Parts A and B, and be eligible for additional payments if specified quality and savings requirements are met.
As with other healthcare initiatives in the past, the premise of ACOs is that they will improve the health of the population; enhance the patient experience of care (including quality, access, and reliability); and reduce, or at least control, the per capita cost of care. The “savings” created by ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program will then be “shared” between the federal government and the ACO.