CMS Announces Two New ACO Models

In December 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two new accountable care organization (ACO) models under the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). Under the Medicare-Medicaid ACO (MMACO) model, Medicare and state Medicaid programs will partner with new and existing MSSP ACOs to serve dual eligible beneficiaries. The MMACOs will be responsible for both Medicare and Medicaid services. Under the MMSP Track 1+ model, ACOs will be required to take on downside risk, but to a lesser degree than currently required in other MSSP tracks. The new models will launch during 2017. The first performance period . . .