What’s an ACO? – Accountable Care Organizations Under the Medicare Program

Winston & Strawn presented an eLunch titled "What’s an ACO? – Accountable Care Organizations Under the Medicare Program" on  June 21, 2011.

The Health Reform Law requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a shared savings program beginning January 1, 2012 that will be implemented within accountable care organizations (ACOs). The intent is that providers and suppliers would work together to improve quality of care while controlling costs, allowing ACO participants to share in any achieved savings. However, ACOs raise concerns among providers and suppliers. They also raise fraud and abuse and antitrust issues. In April, CMS issued proposed ACO regulations and the federal antitrust enforcement agencies (FTC and DOJ) jointly issued a statement of antitrust enforcement policy.

The discussion focused on:

• ACO structure – what providers and suppliers may participate and how beneficiaries will be assigned
• How shared savings would work
• Pros and cons for providers and suppliers
• Fraud and abuse pitfalls
• Antitrust analysis that the FTC and DOJ will apply to ACOs
• Antitrust safety zones and other options to obtain antitrust clarity
• Mandatory CMS antitrust review process

An eLunch is a complimentary, interactive seminar where participants watch and listen to a presentation given by Winston & Strawn attorneys over the Internet.

Clients and friends of the firm are invited to attend seminars and events. We reserve the right to limit attendance at any firm event.

NOTE: CLE credit is not available for listening to our pre-recorded eLunch or webinar briefings.