The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Monday an additional 89 accountable care organizations, more than doubling the number of ACOs taking part in Medicare shared savings initiatives.
This latest group of ACOs, which launched July 1, brings the total to 154 such organizations, which deliver care to 2.4 million Medicare beneficiaries across the nation. The newest group of ACOs will serve 1.2 million people with Medicare in 40 states and Washington, D.C., Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says.
Participation in an ACO is voluntary. The HHS anticipates federal savings from this initiative could be up to $940 million over four years.
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"Better coordinated care is good for patients and it saves money," Sebelius says. "We applaud every one of these doctors, hospitals, health centers and others for working together to ensure millions of people with Medicare get better, more patient-centered, coordinated care."
The selected ACOs operate in a wide range of areas of the country and almost half are physician-driven organizations serving fewer than 10,000 beneficiaries, demonstrating that smaller organizations are interested in operating as ACOs, the HHS says.
Beginning this year, new ACO applications will be accepted annually. The application period for organizations that wish to participate in the program beginning in January 2013 is from Aug. 1 through Sept. 6, 2012.
During a press conference Monday, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and Director Jonathan Blum said more than 400 organizations have submitted their intent to apply for participation next January.
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