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Ann Morse Abdella was all in when the Medicare Shared Savings Program started in 2012. She helped launch a rural accountable care organization in western New York, serving roughly 7,000 Medicare beneficiaries.
Six turbulent years later, Chautauqua Region Associated Medical Partners is heading for the exit.
The constantly evolving program and its increasing pressure to take on financial risk are too much to swallow, especially since the region, which has a high penetration of managed care, is already fairly efficient in terms of healthcare spending. The prospect of being held responsible for missed savings goals is unsettling since it’s unclear how much more can be done to control costs.