On December 23, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced the participation of 123 new Accountable Care Organizations (“ACOs”) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. This step is intended to further advance Medicare’s goal of providing its beneficiaries with access to high-quality, coordinated care nationwide.
The newly established Medicare ACOs include a diverse cross-section of health care providers across the county, including providers delivering care in underserved areas. Currently, approximately 1 in 5 ACOs include community health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals that serve low-income and rural communities.
For a list of the 123 new ACOs, visit: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/sharedsavingsprogram/Downloads/2014-ACO-Contacts-Directory.pdf.
The next application period for organizations interested in participating in the Shared Savings Program begins summer 2014.