Question:
How are accountable care organizations (ACOs) reimbursed in the Medicare Shared Savings Program?
Answer:
Medicare bases ACOs’ payments on several factors. In a recently released final rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explains that one of the payment factors is based on whether the ACO can deliver high-quality care at a lower cost compared to other providers in their region. Details about the final rule and payment factors can be viewed at https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2016-Fact-sheets-items/2016-06-06.html.