On March 31, 2011, the Obama Administration released four proposed regulations and statements to implement the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) are a central feature of the Shared Savings Program, which has its legislative basis in Section 3022 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. In addition to proposing regulations to implement ACOs, the Administration also discussed waivers from existing self-referral, anti-kickback and civil monetary penalty statutes; issued a proposed policy statement on antitrust enforcement and ACOs; and issued a proposal on tax treatment of ACOs.
The ASA Ad Hoc Task Force on Accountable Care Organizations is carefully reviewing the proposed regulations with special attention to anesthesiology specific concerns, and will work with ASA staff and our elected leadership to recommend changes and clarifications of these complex proposals.
To help inform the membership of ASA about this new program, we have developed these Frequently Asked Questions.