The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that 123 new accountable care organizations (ACOs) have been formed and joined its program to provide coordinated care for Medicare beneficiaries. The ACOS are composed of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.
The ACOs must meet quality standards to ensure that savings are achieved through improving care coordination and providing care that is appropriate, safe, and timely, according to CMS. CMS evaluates ACO quality performance using 33 quality measures on patient and caregiver experience of care, care coordination and patient safety, appropriate use of preventive health services, and improved care for at-risk populations.
The next application period for organizations interested in participating in the Shared Savings Program beginning January 2015 will be in summer 2014.
For more information, visit the CMS Shared Savings Program webpage.
