CMS Webinar January 31 on ACO Model Request for Applications

On January 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center (CMS Innovation Center) released the Request for Applications (RFA) and Letter of Intent (LOI) for organizations interested in applying to the Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model for 2018. The CMS Innovation Center previously announced the opportunity for a third round of applications on December 15, 2016. The RFA, LOI, and details on Model parameters can be found on the Next Generation ACO Model web page.

The Next Generation ACO Model is a healthcare delivery and payment model created by the CMS Innovation Center. The goal of the Next Generation ACO Model is to test whether strong financial incentives for ACOs can improve health outcomes and lower expenditures for Original Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Additionally, it allows participating providers to assume higher levels of financial risk and reward than are available under the Shared Savings Program or were offered in the Pioneer ACO Model. The Next Generation ACO Model previously accepted organizations into the initiative for January 2016 and 2017 start dates. As of January 2017, there are a total of 45 Next Generation ACOs all over the nation—from Los Angeles, California to Boston, Massachusetts.

All organizations interested in applying to the Next Generation ACO Model must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI is now available on the Model’s webpage and will be open for submissions until May 4, 2017. Only organizations that submit an LOI will be able to complete an application. The Next Generation ACO Model’s application portal will open in March 2017 and applications will be due in May 2017. The CMS Innovation Center will also be holding informational webinars to help guide applicants through the application process and provide more detailed information on the Model.

The schedule for webinars are listed below:

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 – Overview and LOI Information
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 (repeat of January 31 webinar)

Additional future webinars are being scheduled:

Tuesday, February 28, 2017: Next Generation ACO Model Financial Methodology Overview
Tuesday, March 14, 2017: Overview of the Next Generation ACO Model Application and Participant List Process
Tuesday, March 28, 2017: Next Generation ACO Model Benefit Enhancements Overview
Tuesday, April 11, 2017: Overview of Population-Based Payments and All-Inclusive Population-Based Payments
Tuesday, April 15, 2017: Deep Dive: Completing Your Next Generation ACO Model Participant List

Those interested in further information on upcoming webinars are encouraged to check the Next Generation ACO Model web page as information becomes available.