What is a key feature of the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP)?

The Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) is designed to encourage Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to provide high-quality care while also reducing spending for Medicare beneficiaries. A key feature of the MSSP is that it allows ACOs to share in savings achieved through their efforts to lower costs while maintaining or improving the quality of care. This performance-based reimbursement structure incentivizes ACOs to implement effective care coordination and management strategies, aiming to enhance patient outcomes without increasing overall Medicare expenditures.

Each ACO operates under a risk-sharing model where they can earn a portion of the savings they generate. This creates a direct link between efficient healthcare delivery and financial rewards, motivating providers to focus on preventive care and efficient treatment processes. This model contrasts with traditional fee-for-service payment systems, which can encourage higher volumes of services rather than outcomes.

In summary, the ability for ACOs to share in the savings they achieve underlines the fundamental goal of the MSSP: to improve healthcare quality while controlling costs within the Medicare system.