CMS issues proposed rule for Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today released a proposed rule that would make technical changes to the way financial targets are calculated for accountable care organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. CMS proposes to account for differences in regional health care spending when updating ACOs’ financial targets, rather than considering only an ACO’s historical financial performance. CMS also proposes an option to encourage ACOs that renew participation in the MSSP to accelerate their acceptance of performance-based risk. Comments on the proposed regulation are due March 28. AHA staff are reviewing the rule.