Burlington, Vt.-based Healthfirst, a network of 40 independent physician practices, announced it will drop out of the Medicare Shared Savings Program after more than two years because the program was unsustainable, according to VTDigger.
The accountable care organization met MSSP quality standards but did not reduce costs enough to qualify for shared savings. Vermont already has low per capita Medicare spending and the program doesn't take regional differences into account when determining the threshold for savings, according to Amy Cooper, Healthfirst's executive director.
The association will consider returning to the program in 2016 after CMS adjusts the program if the adjustments take regional differences into account, Ms. Cooper told VTDigger.
Healthfirst will continue to participate in a state-based shared savings program for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont beneficiaries, according to the report.
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