Nine representatives from the House penned a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma urging the agency to soften a proposed rule that would rapidly increase the timeline for Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs to take on downside financial risk.
"We are concerned that CMS' proposals to shorten the glide path for new ACOs to assume financial risk from 6 years to 2 years, and to cut the shared savings rate from 50 to 25 percent, will have the unintended impact of impeding new ACO entry," the lawmakers wrote. "To ensure that ACOs have a sufficient business case to participate in this voluntary program, we urge CM to modify these proposals in the final rule."
In August, CMS issued a proposed rule to overhaul the MSSP, pushing ACOs to take on downside risk faster and simplify the program. The rule has had a mixed reception. More than a third of ACOs in the program said they would leave if the proposed rule takes effect.
The lawmakers told Ms. Verma the agency needs to ensure the MSSP "remains a workable option," as the implementation of the Quality Payment Program is predicated on alternative payment models like ACOs.
More articles on accountable care:
Physician groups launch task force for advanced APMs
A third of MSSP ACOs may leave program under new rule, survey finds
Southwestern Health Resources, BCBS of Texas launch ACO for 130K member