New Ideas, Familiar Concerns

Because the ACO idea is new to the Medicare scene, it is expected to evolve over time. Given that the early language in the model is still somewhat physician specific, it is incumbent upon all health care professionals to stay involved in its progress to ensure there are no barriers to our being part of these systems. My eyes have been opened, and I will be watching as the Medicare Shared Savings Program for ACOs takes effect in 2012.

Send your thoughts on ACOs to NPEditor@qhc.com.

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare Shared Savings Program: Accountable Care Organizations (76 FR 19528). federalregister.gov/a/2011-7880. Accessed May 16, 2011.

2. US Department of Health and Human Services. Summary of proposed rule provision for accountable care organizations under the Medicare Shared Savings Program (April 2011). www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ACO_NPRM_Summary_Factsheet_ICN906224.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2011.

3. Health Affairs/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Health Policy Brief: Accountable care organizations (July 27, 2010). www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=20. Accessed May 16, 2011.

4. Shortell SM, Casalino LP, Fisher ES. How the Center for Medicare and Medicare Innovation should test accountable care organizations. Health Affairs. 2010;29(7):1293-1298.

5. Devers K, Berenson R. Can accountable care organizations improve the value of health care by solving the cost and quality quandaries? Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Urban Institute Policy Brief; October 2009. www.rwjf.org/qualityequality/product.jsp?id=50609. Accessed May 16, 2011.

6. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Legislation. Medicare Accountable Care Organizations Shared Savings Program: New Section 1899 of Title XVIII Preliminary Questions and Answers (May 2010). www.cms.gov/OfficeofLegislation/Downloads/AccountableCareOrganization.pdf. Accessed May 1, 2011.