In Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO Tenure Linked To Greater Spending Reductions

Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) with longer participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) during 2013 through 2015 had a greater likelihood of reducing their costs and meeting the shared savings benchmarks. About 46% of ACOs that participated for one year were able to reduce spending. However, among ACOs that participated continuously from 2013 through 2015, 57% were able to reduce spending, and by greater amounts. The 46% of ACOs that were in the program for one year reduced spending by $5.4 million for that year. The ACOs that participated for all three years reduced spending by an . . .