In a March blog post, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced they could do things better.

If you read between the lines of the new Next Generation ACO model it's in there.  In discussing how they have improved the ACO program, they state what worked, mention what didn't, and take a giant step in the right direction.  Click to continue...

ACOs are a patient-centered organization composed of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who come together voluntarily to provide coordinated, high-quality care at lower cost.  As a major feature of the Affordable Care Act's attempt to achieve the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's triple aim (improving patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of care), ACO's are a health reform barometer.

  

EPCMS conducted exploratory meetings on forming a local ACO of doctors and providers during 2014.  While there is a great degree of interest, the plan is still being evaluated for it's benefit to providers. Of the 114 MSSP ACOs, 54 kept costs below budget benchmarks and 29 of those saved more than 2 percent, thus qualifying for shared savings. These 29 ACOs received $126 million in savings and generated $128 million in total CMS trust fund savings. The other 60 MSSP ACOs experienced spending above their set benchmark.