Accountable Care Organizations
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) seeks to improve the quality of health care services and to lower health care costs by encouraging providers to create integrated health care delivery systems. One delivery system reform is the Medicare Shared Savings Program under section 3022 of PPACA which promotes the formation and operation of accountable care organizations (ACOs). The establishment of ACOs is just one of many delivery system reforms that are part of PPACA.
On October 20, 2011, CMS released the long-awaited final regulation on ACOs. The analysis of the final rule by the ASA ad hoc task force and ASA staff is now available.
Former ASA President Alexander A. Hannenberg, M.D. initially created and Immediate ASA Past President Mark A. Warner, M.D. reauthorized an ad hoc task force to address this issue. Under the direction of Norman A. Cohen, M.D. this group will serve as ASA’s experts on ACOs and will work closely with the Washington staff to help formulate our position and develop relevant information for the membership. The remaining members of the task force include Amr Abouleish, M.D., M.B.A., Arthur Boudreaux, M.D., Richard Dutton, M.D., M.B.A., Patrick Giam, M.D., James Hicks, M.D., Robert Johnstone, M.D., Sachin Kheterpal, M.D., M.B.A., Asa Lockhart, M.D., M.B.A., Gerald Maccioli, M.D., Douglas Merrill, M.D., M.B.A., Mark Neuman, M.D., Mike P. Schweitzer, M.D., M.B.A., Stan Stead, M.D., M.B.A. and Rebecca Twersky, M.D., M.P.H.
What are ACOs?
Rulemaking Status
- Updated 10/21/2011
ACO FAQs
Key Documents
ASA Comment Letter on ACO Proposed Rule - updated 6/3/1011
ASA Letter to FTC on Proposed Statement on ACO Antitrust Enforcement - updated 5/31/2011
ASA Co-Signed a Comment Letter on the ACO Proposed Rule Focusing on CME/IME/DSH Payments
CMS Webpage Dedicated to ACOs
2012 ACO Narrative Quality Measures Specifications Manual
Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Physician Group Practices Application Crosswalk Instructions for Participants
Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Physician Group Practices Application Crosswalk Instructions for Pioneers Now Applying
Final Regulation
ASA Analysis of the ACO Final Rule
Final ACO Regulation Issued by CMS (696 pages)
CMS Comparison of Final Regulation to Proposed Regulation
Medicare Program; Final Waivers in Connection with the Shared Savings Program
Federal Trade Commission Final Statement of Antitrust Policy Enforcement on ACOs
Proposed Rule
CMS Proposed Rule on Accountable Care Organizations (429 pages)
Federal Trade Commission Proposed Statement on ACO Enforcement
Internal Revenue Service on Need for Guidance on Participation in ACO Program
CMS Issued Fact Sheet Summary of Proposed Rule
CMS Issued Fact Sheet for Providers
CMS Issued Fact Sheet on Quality
CMS Issued Fact Sheet on Legal Issues
CMS Issues Fact Sheet on ACOs and Rural Providers
Accountable Care Organization News
11-10-2011 - ASA Analysis of the ACO Final Rule
10-31-2011 - ASA Initial Reaction to Final ACO Rule
10-20-2011 - Accountable Care Organization Final Regulation Released
06-03-2011 - ASA Responds to ACO Proposed Rule
05-31-2011 - ASA Responds to Federal Trade Commission's Proposed Statement on ACO Antitrust Enforcement
05-17-2011 - CMS Innovation Center Announces Three New Programs Related to ACOs
05-09-2011 - CMS Issues Fact Sheet on ACOs and Rural Providers
03-31-2011 - CMS Releases Proposed Rule on ACOs
12-20-2010 - ASA Leadership Advances Interest of Anesthesiologsts at White House Patient Safety and ACO Meeting
12-03-2010 - ASA Responds to CMS on ACOs
12-03-2010 - ASA Joins Surgical Coalition Letter to CMS on ACOs
11-16-2010 - Request for Information from CMS on ACOs
10-22-2010 - NCQA Releases Proposed Standards for ACOs
10-13-2010 - New ASA Ad Hoc Committee on ACOs