aco

CMS is staking a lot on accountable care organizations reducing spending while improving care for Medicare beneficiaries.  A snapshot of early experience finds that 29 out of 114 ACOs generated enough savings to get some back from CMS.  According to CMS, overall $380 million was saved.  But less than half the programs had lower spending than projected and among Pioneer, or more experienced ACOs, performance was not much better.  Many providers are undecided on seeking ACO status, since the $80 per patient savings don't go very far to paying for the immense additive costs of becoming one.