Healthcare providers will now have the option of participating in an even higher risk accountable care organization, one that could yield higher returns than any other CMS program. 

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it was launching a new ACO model, dubbed The Next Generation ACO, which purports to build upon the Pioneer ACO and the Medicare Shared Savings Program, both which rewarded providers who met benchmarks linked to care quality and costs. 

 

[See also: Pioneer ACOs deal with many kinks.]

 

Telehealth will be a significant focus of the new ACO model, CMS officials pointed out, as participating organizations will be asked to provide access to both telehealth and home visits. Unlike the Pioneer ACO, which was criticized by some for having difficult and moving financial targets, The Next Generation ACO will have more predictable financial goals. It also will have more flexible payment options, CMS said. 

 

This story was reported by Healthcare IT News' sister publication Healthcare Finance. Read the rest of the story here.