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A new voluntary model announced March 19 by the CMS Innovation Center seeks to empower primary care providers in smaller accountable care organizations (ACOs) to treat people with Medicare using team-based, person-centered proactive care. The announcement drew praise from primary care groups participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
The ACO Primary Care Flex Model will provide a one-time advanced shared savings payment and monthly prospective primary care payments (PPCPs) to ACOs. The advanced shared savings payments provide ACOs with needed resources and flexibility to cover costs associated with forming an ACO (where relevant) and administrative costs for required model activities. PPCPs will be distributed by ACOs to primary care practices, giving them improved resources and flexibility to provide care that best suits individuals’ needs.