Health Law

Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Proposed Regulations Released

By Todd Rodriguez

Several federal agencies have just issued much awaited proposed guidance regarding Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The guidance includes the following:

1. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued proposed regulations that would establish accountable care organizations (ACOs) under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The CMS proposed rule is available online at http://www.cms.gov/sharedsavingsprogram

2. CMS and HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) jointly issued a notice with comment period outlining proposals for waivers under the Stark law, the anti-kickback statute, and certain provisions of the civil monetary penalty law in connection with the Shared Savings Program. The joint notice with comment period is available online at http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

3. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice jointly issued a "Proposed Statement of Enforcement Policy Regarding Accountable Care Organizations Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program" (Antitrust Policy Statement). The Antitrust Policy Statement is available online at: http://www.ftc.gov/opp/aco/

4. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a notice requesting comments regarding the need for guidance on participation by tax-exempt organizations in the Shared Savings Program through ACOs. The IRS notice is available online at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=222814,00.html
 

Full post as published by Physician Law on March 31, 2011 (boomark / email).