A CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) open door forum was held yesterday, January 5, 2012, to discuss the Advance Payment Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model and its application template. The payment model is for physician-based and rural ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Advanced Payment Model participants will receive up-front payments that are recouped from their earned shared savings.

A transcript and audio recording of the forum will be posted to the CMS website beginning Friday, January 13, 2012. Participating physicians and ACOs can also refer to the updated information offered by CMS that explains the application process, including how to obtain login credentials for the web tool.

Please note: CMS is now collecting applications for the Advance Payment Model. Applications for the April 1, 2012 start date were available Tuesday, January 3, 2012, and will be collected through Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Applications for the July 1, 2012 start date will be collected between Thursday, March 1, 2012, and Friday, March 30, 2012.

Want to learn more about the Medicare Shared Savings Program? Click here for an overview and to view YouTube slideshow presentations and podcasts about Medicare Shared Savings and the Advanced Payment Model.  Additional links on the webpage include updated information about Medicare ACO quality measures and performance standards as well as steps to submitting a Medicare Shared Savings Program application.

NCMS also provides additional resources toward Accountable Care.