2018 ACO Application Cycle Details Announced

March 2017 ~

CMS has released key deadlines and other important application cycle details information for applying to become a Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) or Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO with a 2018 start date.

According to CMS’ Request for Applications notice, organizations interested in applying to become Next Generation ACO or MSSP ACO in 2018 must comply with the following deadlines:

May 1^st – Next Generation ACO deadline to submit a non-binding Notice of Intent to Apply (NOIA)

May 1^st – NOIAs for MSSP ACOs can be submitted

May 18^th – Next Generation ACO round one application deadline: narrative portion

May 31^st – NOIAs for MSSP ACO deadline

June 9^th – Next Generation ACO round two application deadline: proposed participant provider and service areas lists

July 1^st – MSSP ACO applications can be submitted

July 31^st – MSSP ACO application deadline

August 30^th – deadline for MSSP ACOs to add participants

October 20^th – deadline for MSSP ACOs to edit or delete participants

NOTE: Next Generation ACOs and MSSP ACOs in Tracks 2, 3 or the new Track 1+ all qualify as Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) under the Quality Payment Program (QPP). MSSP Track 1 ACOs qualify for favorable scoring in MIPS under the APM scoring standard, or have until August 30 to switch to a two-sided risk ACO model.

For more information on the 2018 application process for MSSP ACOs, refer to CMS’ ‘How to Apply’ page.

Source(s): MGMA Washington Connection; RevCycle Intelligence;