Medicare Program; Medicare Shared Savings Program: Accountable Care Organizations, Final Rule

November 2, 2011 On October 20, 2011, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Accountable Care Organization (ACO) regulations for the Medicare Shared Savings Program. ACO start dates in 2012 will be flexible. To participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, organizations must first submit a notice of intent to apply for either the April 1, 2012 or July 1, 2012 cycle. For the April cycle, applications must be submitted between December 1, 2011 and January 20, 2012. CMS will approve or deny the application by March 16, 2012. For the July cycle, applications will . . .