Unbiased Analysis of Today's Healthcare Issues
CMS is increasingly moving to alternative payment models whereby providers are paid based on their ability to improve/maintain quality and hold the line on cost. A key question then, is how does CMS evaluate quality of care? Today, the Healthcare Economist will answer this question for the case of Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP), which…
Medicare’s ACO program–the Medicare Shared Savings Plan (MSSP)–has recently been revised. AJMC reports that Patrick Conway, MD, MSc, deputy administrator for innovation and quality and chief medical officer at CMS, describes the proposed changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program and how they will assist accountable care organizations transitioning to tracks with more risks.
In recent years, payers have moved towards shifting more financial risk to providers. One of the most significant ways financial risk is passed to providers is through the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The biggest ACO program is Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP). Are ACO’s improving quality and reducing cost? A paper by Schulz,…
Maybe. An press release from CMS is very upbeat on ACOs. What do the numbers say? Farzad Mostashari and Ross White review the CMS report and find that results were mixed: Of the 114 ACOs in the program, 54 of the ACOs saved money and 29 saved enough money to receive bonus payments. The 54…