WASHINGTON – CMS will host a teleconference open door forum on Jan. 5 for physician-based and rural accountable care organizations (ACOs) that plan on participating in the Shared Savings Program.
[See also: Physician groups initially pleased with final ACO rule.]
Earlier this fall, CMS announced a new Advance Payment Model for physician-based and rural ACOs participating in the Shared Savings Program. ACOs selected to participate in the Advance Payment Model will receive upfront payments that will be recouped from the shared savings they earn.
The forum, to be held from 2:30-4 p.m. EST will show participants how to proceed with the CMS application process. A template of the application for the Advance Payment ACO Model is available now on a new CMS Advance Payment Model Application Information webpage.The updated information on the webpage explains the application process, including how to obtain login credentials for a web tool CMS has yet to release.
[See also: Final rule eases ACO regulations, lifts EHR requirements.]
CMS officials said the template available now is for information purposes only and is not an application form that should be completed. CMS Innovation Center will accept applications through a forthcoming web tool.
According to CMS, on or before the morning of the Jan. 5 forum, a slideshow presentation will be posted to the CMS Advance Payment Model ACO Application Information webpage.
The call-in number for the forum is 1-800-837-1935, with a conference ID number of 39623933.
For physicians who wish to apply for the Advance Payment Model with an April 1, 2012 start date, CMS will accept applications between Jan. 3 and Feb. 1, 2012. For a July 1, 2012 start date, CMS will accept applications between March 1 and March 30, 2012, officials said.
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