The race for a House speaker resumes after Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio)'s Oct. 20 exit; site-neutral policies surface in a House subcommittee hearing.
view more »Association Comments on CY 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Sept. 12, 2022 ||The association urged CMS to adequately reimburse off-campus, provider-based departments; refine physician quality reporting; and codify a definition of essential hospitals.
view more »CMS Announces ACO Model With Health Equity Focus
March 1, 2022 ||The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation will release a request for applications for the Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health accountable care organization model, which will focus on promoting health equity and mitigating health disparities for underserved communities.
view more »Association Comments on CY 2021 OPPS, PFS Proposed Rules
Oct. 13, 2020 ||The proposed rules would deepen Medicare Part B cuts to hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, continue site-neutral payment policies, and revise the overall hospital star rating methodology. The association urged CMS to protect funding for essential hospitals and access to care.
view more »Operational Strategies to Meet COVID-19 Financial Challenges
June 30, 2020 ||The immediate urgency that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our delivery system’s infrastructure is both mounting and innately unpredictable. There are innovative operational strategies any hospital can implement to meet these challenges.
view more »The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on April 30 issued a second round of waivers and rule changes to provide flexibility to hospitals and improve access to testing for beneficiaries. These changes update waivers issued March 30 to address patient surge.
view more »Application Period Opens for Kidney Care, Primary Care Models
Oct. 28, 2019 ||Applications for the new payment models are due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 22, 2020.
view more »AHRQ Study: ACO Participants More Likely To Conduct Home Visits
July 31, 2019 ||Health care practices participating in accountable care organizations (ACOs) are more likely than non-ACO practices to use home visits to manage patients who need complex care.
view more »MedPAC Issues June Report to Congress
June 18, 2019 ||The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission outlines issues of importance to essential hospitals, including Medicare payment strategies for Part B drugs, the Medicare Shared Savings Program,and Medicare fee-for-service spending for emergency department services.
view more »CMMI Announces New Primary Care Models
April 25, 2019 ||The Primary Cares Initiative comprises five new voluntary payment model options under two paths. The new models build on the experience of the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Next Generation Accountable Care Organization model.
view more »CMS Toolkit Highlights ACO Care Coordination Work
April 16, 2019 ||The new Care Coordination Toolkit showcases the work of accountable care organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Next Generation ACO Model. The agency also released a set of case studies describing innovation ACO initiatives.
view more »ACO Application Deadlines for Shared Savings Program
April 16, 2019 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced notice of intent to apply and application deadlines for a Jan. 1, 2020, start date for the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
view more »CMS Issues MSSP Final Rule
Jan. 16, 2019 ||A final rule for the Medicare Shared Savings Program overhauls the program and creates a pathway for accountable care organizations to more rapidly transition to performance-based risk models with the potential for greater shared savings.
view more »CMS Finalizes MSSP Redesign
Dec. 21, 2018 ||The Medicare Shared Savings Program final rule creates a pathway for accountable care organizations to transition more rapidly to performance-based risk.
view more »Association Comments on Proposed MSSP Changes
Oct. 22, 2018 ||America's Essential Hospitals encouraged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to promote stability in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and allow essential hospitals more time to stay in savings-only tracks.
view more »Managing Medicaid Lives with Provider Service Networks
Sept. 28, 2018 ||Explore the journey taken by Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System as they partnered with the Community Care Plan (CCP), a safety-net Provider Service Network, to administer a Medicaid accountable care organization serving Broward County.
view more »Association Comments on 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Sept. 12, 2018 ||The association urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to adequately reimburse off-campus, provider-based departments and refine physician quality reporting to account for costs of care and the unique needs and patient populations served by essential hospitals.
view more »CMS: ACOs Saved Medicare $314M in 2017
Sept. 10, 2018 ||New data show 472 accountable care organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program cared for 9 million program beneficiaries in 2017.
view more »CMS Issues MSSP Proposed Rule
Aug. 20, 2018 ||A proposed rule for the Medicare Shared Savings Program would overhaul participation tracks to create a "glide path" along which accountable care organizations could transition from a rewards-only model to a two-sided model with risk and the potential for greater rewards.
view more »CMS Proposes Redesign of MSSP
Aug. 13, 2018 ||A new proposed rule would create a pathway for accountable care organizations to more rapidly transition to performance-based risk.
view more »MedPAC Releases Annual Report to Congress
June 28, 2018 ||The report provides updates on the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, off-campus emergency department access, the physician fee schedule, population-based quality measures and incentives, and Medicare accountable care organizations, among other topics.
view more »CMS Announces Performance Year 2018 Medicare ACOs
Jan. 10, 2018 ||This year, there are 124 new participants, including 55 that will take part in the risk-baring Medicare Shared Savings Program Track 1+ model; Accountable care organizations now serve 10.5 million Medicare patients, up 1.5 million from 2017.
view more »CMS Cancels New ACO Model for Dual Eligibles
Oct. 6, 2017 ||The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not receive any letters of intent for the 2018 start date of the Medicare-Medicaid accountable care organization model.
view more »Statewide Innovation: Vermont’s Blueprint for Health
Aug. 30, 2017 ||Discover the Vermont Blueprint for Health, a state-led initiative to transform care delivery and financing, and hear from state and essential hospital leaders about this initiative’s challenges and successes.
view more »Can Medicaid Managed Care Help Essential Hospitals Succeed?
Aug. 10, 2017 ||Participants learned about the evolution of Medicaid Managed Care and how essential hospitals can succeed in the changing environment from experts at Premier Inc.
view more »CMS Publishes Quality Payment Program Fact Sheet
June 19, 2017 ||The fact sheet gives a general overview of the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Quality Payment Program and explains how the programs work together.
view more »Regulatory Outlook for 2017
April 14, 2017 ||The policy team at America's Essential Hospitals discussed the regulatory outlook for the next year, including key policy issues on the horizon.
view more »Study: Value-Based Reforms Reduce Readmissions
April 14, 2017 ||Hospital participation in Medicare value-based programs in 2015, including ACOs and bundled payments, was associated with 2,377 fewer readmissions and $32.7 million in savings.
view more »Next Generation ACO Application Portal Open
March 7, 2017 ||A series of forums will provide information on the Next Generation ACO Model; a separate CMS webinar will outline the Medicare ACO Track 1+ Model.
view more »CMS Announces Nearly 100 New Medicare ACOs
Jan. 23, 2017 ||Along with renewing ACOs, the 99 new organizations bring the total number of ACOs nationally to 480 in 2017.
view more »CMS Announces New Medicare ACO Track 1+ Model
Jan. 10, 2017 ||The new Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation model aims to boost participation from small rural hospitals and other smaller health care practices.
view more »CMS Announces New ACO Model for Dual Eligibles
Dec. 20, 2016 ||CMS will partner with up to six states on the new Medicare-Medicaid ACO Model, which was designed by the CMS Innovation Center.
view more »CMS Releases 2017 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Nov. 7, 2016 ||Of particular interest to members of America’s Essential Hospitals are changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program and provisions related to telehealth.
view more »Preparing for MACRA Implementation
Nov. 4, 2016 ||Hosted by the Financial Interest Group, this webinar will help prepare your hospital to implement provisions of the MACRA final rule.
view more »CMS Releases Toolkit To Help Stakeholders Develop APMs
Nov. 4, 2016 ||It outlines factors stakeholders should focus on when designing alternative payment models, including type to propose, how to measure improvements, and more.
view more »Hennepin Health: A Spotlight on Collaboration
Sept. 19, 2016 ||Hear insights and lessons learned regarding value-based care from representatives of the foundation of Hennepin Health.
view more »Medicare ACOs Continue Quality Improvement, Savings
Aug. 30, 2016 ||Hospitals and other providers generated more than $466 million in savings in 2015 through participation in Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs).
view more »CY 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Issued
July 18, 2016 ||The rule, released July 7, updates physician payment rates for Medicare services and makes changes to physician quality programs.
view more »CMS Finalizes Changes to Medicare Shared Savings Methodology
June 8, 2016 ||The new rule aims to help more accountable care organizations successfully participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
view more »Next Generation ACO Deadline Extended
April 27, 2016 ||Hospitals and other providers now have until May 20 to submit a letter of intent for the Next Generation ACO model, which carries greater risk but also offers greater rewards; applications are due May 25.
view more »Inside Perspectives of an Accountable Care Organization
April 6, 2016 ||Join us April 20 to hear key lessons learned from a hospital currently operating an accountable care organization.
view more »Next Generation ACO Model Deadline Extended
March 22, 2016 ||Hospitals and other providers now have until May 2 to submit a letter of intent to participate in the second and final round of the Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model.
view more »HHS Announces More Than 120 New Medicare ACOs
Jan. 13, 2016 ||New ACOs are eligible for risk-bearing tracks with increased savings for positive patient outcomes and penalties for negative outcomes. A total of 477 ACOs will care for almost 8.9 million beneficiaries in 2016.
view more »CMS Seeks Comments on Physician Payment Reforms
Sept. 30, 2015 ||CMS requests feedback on a range of provisions relating to MIPS and incentives for participation in APMs, including whether to stratify quality measure data by demographic factors.
view more »Medicare ACOs Improve Quality, Save Money
Aug. 28, 2015 ||Pioneer and MSSP ACOs showed improvement in at least 27 of 33 quality measures in last reporting period. More than 420 Medicare ACOs have been established, coordinating care for more than 7.8 million patients.
view more »New ACO Investment Model Offers Upfront Savings
June 30, 2015 ||Upfront and ongoing savings aim to encourage providers to form ACOs in rural and underserved areas and promote participation in models with greater financial risk. Applications accepted July 1 to July 31.
view more »CMS Seeks Nominations for APM Work Group
June 15, 2015 ||Nominations are due June 19. The work group will define terms related to alternative payment models and a strategy to track progress of APM implementation.
view more »CMS Extends Savings-Only Risk Model for ACOs
June 9, 2015 ||The agency also finalized a new risk/reward model that offers a greater share of savings for providers who take on more financial risk.
view more »Pioneer ACOs See Millions in Savings, Higher Quality Scores
May 26, 2015 ||Roughly 48 percent of participating ACOs produced $121 million in total shared savings in 2013, with a net shared savings of $99 million
view more »MSSP Application Process Provider Call June 9
May 18, 2015 ||The call will provide an overview of the materials required for applying to the Medicare Shared Savings Program and lessons learned from previous program year application periods. Notices of intent due May 29, applications due July 31.
view more »Pioneer ACOs See Big Savings, Will Expand beyond Pilot
May 8, 2015 ||The model saved $384 million over a two-year time period and is the first alternative payment pilot to meet criteria for expansion to additional sites.
view more »IOM Proposes Standardized Quality Reporting Measures
May 5, 2015 ||IOM recommended a set of 15 core measures to be used across federal quality reporting programs to reduce the administrative reporting burden, allow for nationwide comparisons, and more.
view more »CMS to Answer Questions on New ACO Model
March 27, 2015 ||This new model will allow ACOs to take greater performance risks for greater financial reward, calls start March 31.
view more »Medicare Shared Savings Program Call April 7
March 23, 2015 ||CMS will host a national provider call for ACOs interested in the 2016 program year.
view more »Next Generation ACO Model Can Bring Greater Savings
March 17, 2015 ||Through CMS' new model, ACOs can take greater performance risk and receive a greater portion of savings through coordinated, high-quality care.
view more »Stakeholders Needed for HHS Alternative Payment Model Network
March 3, 2015 ||The Network will support the transition toward alternative payment models, using efforts in the Medicare Program as a guide.
view more »Health Insurance Marketplaces a Primary Focus for HHS
March 3, 2015 ||Specifically, HHS will evaluate financial assistance programs, Medicaid expansion, pioneer ACOs, and marketplace payment systems.
view more »CMS Seeks Input on Primary Care Innovations
Feb. 18, 2015 ||There is particular interest in mechanisms for greater comprehensiveness in care delivery, care for complex patients, care coordination, and value-driven reimbursement.
view more »Association, Others Urge CMS to Ensure MSSP Sustainability
Feb. 10, 2015 ||Recommendations include establishing greater balance between risk and reward for participating ACOs.
view more »In recent journal articles from the New England Journal of Medicine and Medical Care, researchers explore issues related to Medicare accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes.
view more »CMS Proposes Changes to MSSP
Dec. 4, 2014 ||The proposals seek to add flexibility for participants and encourage participants to assume more risk to be be rewarded with greater shared savings.
view more »Reinvesting ACO Savings to Address Social Determinants of Health
Nov. 12, 2014 ||A recent Health Affairs article explores how Hennepin Health uses ACO savings from decreased ED visits, better primary care to help the homeless, mentally ill.
view more »CMS Issues Final CY 2015 OPPS, PFS Rules
Nov. 10, 2014 ||Topics of member interest include payment updates, the OQR Program, and the MSSP.
view more »CMS Finalizes CY 2015 OPPS and PFS Rules
Nov. 4, 2014 ||The rules, released Oct. 31, finalized a number of provisions regarding payments, data collection in outpatient departments, quality programs, and the MSSP.
view more »CMS Announces $114 Million ACO Initiative
Oct. 20, 2014 ||The funding will be allocated to up to 75 ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to bring better care coordination to rural and underserved areas.
view more »Recent Articles on SES, Medical Homes, Health Equity, and More
Oct. 8, 2014 ||Recent journal articles explore socioeconomic status, accountable care organizations, and other issues relevant to essential hospitals.
view more »The Landscape of Medicaid Alternative Payment Models
Sept. 9, 2014 ||Explore Medicaid alternative payment models, which states have increasingly used to improve health care quality and lower costs.
view more »Recent journal articles explore interventions to reduce readmissions, uncover barriers to recovery for vulnerable adults, decrease emergency department utilization, and more.
view more »Association Comments on CY 2015 PFS Proposed Rule
Sept. 3, 2014 ||America's Essential Hospitals urged CMS to ensure any changes to the MSSP encourage and emphasize quality of care for beneficiaries.
view more »CMS Proposes Changes to MSSP in PFS Proposed Rule
July 8, 2014 ||CMS proposes to update how participants in the MSSP capture and submit quality metric data to gauge improvements to quality of care. The proposed update includes changes to the measure set and the benchmark time period.
view more »OMB received June 26 a CMS proposed rule regarding the second round of the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
view more »CMS Accepting Applications for 2015 MSSP
April 8, 2014 ||Providers interested in participating in an ACO through the MSSP must submit a notice of intent to CMS by May 30 and a final application to CMS by July 31.
view more »CMS to Host Medicare Quality Reporting Call
March 11, 2014 ||CMS will host a National Provider Call March 18, from 1:30 to 3 pm Eastern time, on 2014 Medicare quality reporting programs. During the call, officials will provide an overview of how to report quality measures in various Medicare programs, including those for electronic health records incentives and accountable care organizations.
view more »CMS Innovation Center Seeks Input on Evolution of ACO Initiatives—Your Feedback Needed
Jan. 14, 2014 ||ACOs allow hospitals, health care providers to improve quality, slow cost growth through coordinated care while sharing in savings
view more »CMS Announces 123 New Medicare ACOs
Jan. 7, 2014 ||Will provide high-quality, coordinated care to about 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries
view more »Accountable Care Organizations Rules and Comments
Nov. 25, 2013 ||ACOs are responsible for quality, cost, and overall care of Medicare beneficiaries
view more »CMS Issues Guidance on Medicaid Shared Savings Models
Sept. 4, 2013 ||Agency provides methodological considerations, questions for states to address in program proposals
view more »Pioneer ACOs Improve Quality, Mixed on Lowering Costs
July 23, 2013 ||CMS says all 32 pioneer ACOs improved quality, performed better than published rates in fee-for-service Medicare
view more »Survey of literature and essential hospital experiences, supported by Aetna Foundation
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