The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has provided its formal comments to the CMS on its proposed accountable care organization rule, recommending the agency allow ACOs to utilize existing, suitable market measurement infrastructure and focus on regional alliances, according to an RWJF news release.
The foundation made the following recommendations to strengthen the proposed rule, among others:
• Look to existing regional alliances as key partners in delivery and payment reform for a given market.
• Identify and implement efforts to align and partner with private sector payors in ACO development.
• Provide timely, transparent performance data and information that goes down to the individual health professional level.
• Expand ACO participants by allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Centers to be ACOs.
• Close racial and ethnic disparities by requiring the stratification and public reporting of quality measures by patient race, ethnicity and primary language. Also establish mechanisms to guard against lower-income patients being left out of ACOs.
Read the full text of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s comments on the proposed ACO rule (pdf).
Related Articles on ACOs:
Analysis of Comments on ACOs Finds Certain Regulations Sparked More Concern Than Others
CMS Extends Deadlines for Pioneer ACO Program
“Disappointed” Cleveland Clinic Recommends Changes to Proposed ACO Rule
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
