HHS Announces New Incentives for Providers to Work Together through Accountable Care Organizations when Caring for People with Medicare

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced two new initiatives— the Medicare Shared Savings Program and the Advance Payment model – to encourage healthcare providers to form Accountable Care Organizations.

Both programs offer incentives for providers to work as a team to coordinate an individual patient's treatment plan across multiple care settings including doctors’ offices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

“As a physician I understand the complexities of caring for a patient who may have multiple providers,” said Donald M. Berwick, M.D., administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “This opportunity to coordinate care among providers could greatly improve the quality of care Medicare beneficiaries receive.”

Read the full press release at: http://www.hhs.gov/news.