Hospitals and other providers generated more than $466 million in savings in 2015 through participation in Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs).

The new rule aims to help more accountable care organizations successfully participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

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.

The Comprehensive Primary Care Plus model will encourage primary care practices to transform care delivery, including by increasing care management and coordination.

Hospitals that perform well in quality programs—despite serving high levels of vulnerable patients—invest in health equity, data, collaborative partnerships, patient engagement, and more.

Department calls for interagency approach that employs alternative payment models and better communication between patients and providers.

Under new model, providers will screen Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries for unmet social needs and connect patients to community services. Applications are due May 18.

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.

Educational surveys to help CMS determine best ways to assess infection control regulations for hospitals, nursing homes, and care transitions. Surveys to begin in FY 2016 for nursing homes and in FY 2017 for hospitals.

Week-long annual event will engage stakeholders in discussion and education about antibiotic stewardship in inpatient, outpatient, and animal health settings.

Report on National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care details progress made toward better care, lower costs, and improved health.

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.

Event, open to all providers, will focus on coordinating efforts in the fight against the increasing number of potentially life-threatening germs that resist drugs created to treat them.

Vital Signs report recommends collaboration between public health departments and health care facilities to stop antibiotic resistance, promote infection control.

Multidisciplinary teams at Truman Medical Centers developed two care transitions assessments and reduced hospital admissions, ED visits, costs.

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.