Some Pioneer ACOs may drop out

Up to nine of the 32 Pioneer accountable care organizations (ACOs) may drop out and shift over to the less risky Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO, confirmed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“We’re encouraged that these systems want to continue in these programs that promote better care at lower costs. We fully anticipated that as these programs get up and running, some groups would shift between models,” according to a statement provided by Kathryn Ceja, CMS spokeswoman.

The Pioneer ACO Model was launched in 2012 to test whether ACOs can succeed in payment arrangements that include higher levels of risk and reward than in the MSSP ACO. To that end, such ACOs are held financially accountable for the care delivered to their patients, as well measurable health outcomes for these individuals.

Pioneer ACOS have until July 15 to notify CMS of plans to transition out of the Pioneer model and until July 31 to apply for the MSSP ACO.