CMS recently introduced a new ACO model designed to ease the cost of setup for low-revenue ACOs focusing on primary care. The ACO Primary Care (PC) Flex Model will launch on New Year’s Day 2025.
New and renewing ACOs that want to be part of the program must first apply to the Shared Savings Program. The application window for Shared Savings runs from May 20 to June 17; CMS plans to release the ACO PC Flex Model Request for Applications (RFA) in May, with applications tentatively due in early August.
That’s not much time. Interested organizations should quickly assess their eligibility for this new model. This may require working with a partner on the assessment.
Should an organization determine that it is eligible for the PC Flex Model, it should gauge the potential impact on its practice. For low-income rural ACOs, for example, $250,000 in up-front CMS money could allow them to add services they previously couldn’t afford, such as care management. Providers should really analyze what types of enhanced services would most benefit the population they serve.
It is vital, however, that organizations plan and strategize how they’ll leverage the Flex ACO funding before they receive it. Otherwise, they may fail to optimize its value.
Lynn Carroll (COO of HSBlox) and Brian Norris (VP & Managing Director, Strategic Consulting at MedeAnalytics) discuss the new ACO Flex model that will be in place from Jan. 1st 2025.
