CMS has unveiled an advanced model for accountable care organizations to start in the summer and is also seeking comment on yet another ACO model that would provide start-up funding, according to a release by CMS.
CMS' announcement comes at a time when many providers have been talking about not starting ACOs. In addition to the two new models, CMS announced free learning sessions on ACOs for providers. "These three new initiatives will help give providers new options and incentives to participate in ACOs," the release said.
The Pioneer ACO, a model for more integrated organizations, would be available to providers by this summer, before the January start date for traditional ACOs. CMS' Innovation Center will release a request for applications for the Pioneer model this week.
This Pioneer ACO is "designed to work in coordination with private payors," the release said. The model "provides a faster path for mature ACOs that have already begun coordinating care for patients and are ready to move forward." CMS estimates that care models developed through the Pioneer model could save Medicare up to $430 million over three years.
The Advance Payment ACO, a second model on which CMS is still seeking comment, "would provide additional up-front funding to providers to support the formation of new ACOs," the release said. It would help organizations "make the infrastructure and staff investments crucial to successfully coordinating and improving care for patients," the release added.
The Accelerated Development Learning Sessions, will assist "provider groups interested in learning more about how to coordinate patient care through ACOs," the release said. Sessions will be held during the rest of the year, with the first session taking place June 20-22 in Minneapolis. The session will also be available through a webcast and all materials from the sessions will be publicly available.
Read the CMS release on new models of accountable care organizations.
Read a CMS fact sheet on the initiatives.
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