On behalf of Cleveland Clinic, President and CEO Delos "Toby" Cosgrove has submitted his comments on CMS' proposed accountable care organization rule, saying the organization is "disappointed generally with its content," according to a letter to CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD.
Mr. Cosgrove says the rule is full of prescriptive requirements that have little to do with outcomes and many detailed governance and reporting requirements that create significant administrative burdens. Some of Cleveland Clinic's recommended modifications to the rule include:
• CMS drop its specific board composition and relationship requirements.
• CMS require the ACO be licensed under State law.
• CMS create a more generic outline that would allow the applicant flexibility in describing its approach to receiving ACO goals rather than day-to-day operations.
• The definition of primary care services should include those services provided by specialists as well as primary care physicians.
• Beneficiaries should be assigned to ACOs prospectively with an adjustment period in the initial stages of the three-year period.
Read Mr. Cosgrove's letter to Dr. Berwick on the proposed ACO rule (pdf).
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Mr. Cosgrove says the rule is full of prescriptive requirements that have little to do with outcomes and many detailed governance and reporting requirements that create significant administrative burdens. Some of Cleveland Clinic's recommended modifications to the rule include:
• CMS drop its specific board composition and relationship requirements.
• CMS require the ACO be licensed under State law.
• CMS create a more generic outline that would allow the applicant flexibility in describing its approach to receiving ACO goals rather than day-to-day operations.
• The definition of primary care services should include those services provided by specialists as well as primary care physicians.
• Beneficiaries should be assigned to ACOs prospectively with an adjustment period in the initial stages of the three-year period.
Read Mr. Cosgrove's letter to Dr. Berwick on the proposed ACO rule (pdf).
Related Articles on ACOs:
AMA Issues Response to Proposed ACO Antitrust Policy
AHA Issues Response to Proposed ACO Antitrust Policy, Urges IRS to Offer Guidance
MGMA Responds to "Biased" ACO Proposed Rule