A new Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Track 1+ Model was recently approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act classifies it as an advanced alternative payment model because it has more downside risk than the Track 1 of the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) but less risk than more advanced MSSP Tracks 2 and 3.
“We commend CMS for creating the Track 1+ ACO model,” Tom Nickels, American Hospital Association executive vice president of government relations and public policy, said. “This new ACO model will allow hospitals and clinicians to partner to provide high-quality, cost-efficient care for patients without incurring the unsustainable financial risk that current ACO models require."
Nickels recommends CMS better balance risk and reward for its ACO models, and said based on the details in the CMS fact sheet, Track 1+ is a move in the right direction.
"We also are pleased that CMS is adding to the models available for participating clinicians to receive credit toward MACRA advance payment model incentives, as we urged,” he said.
This track will allow ACOs to know what the patient population they are responsible for as well as a choice of symmetrical thresholds to start sharing savings and losses and the option of the skilled nursing facility Three-Day Rule Waiver.
