AMA, AHIP join NAACOS in effort to limit changes to ACO program

Nine healthcare organizations—including the American Medical Association (AMA) and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)—are asking the federal officials to scale back proposed changes the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

In a letter (PDF) to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, the groups urged the agency to give accountable care organizations more time to participate in the federal program and maintain their 50% cut in shared savings.

A proposed rule released last month would reduce the amount of time ACOs can be in the programs upside only track from down from six years to two. It would also cut the shared savings rate to 25%. 

RELATED: CMS pushes ACOs to take on more risk with Medicare Shared Savings Program overhaul