Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations generated record savings and continued to improve quality performance in 2024, CMS said Aug. 28.
In 2023, the program saw $2.1 billion in net savings.
Five notes:
1. Out of 476 ACOs, 75% earned $4.1 billion in performance payments, representing 80% of the 10.3 million assigned beneficiaries. Medicare saved $2.4 billion relative to benchmarks, the highest level since the program began.
2. Net per capita savings increased to $241 in 2024 from $207 in 2023. Gross per capita savings also rose to $643 from $515.
3. Low revenue ACOs, typically physician-led or comprised of FQHCs/RHCs, generated $316 in net per capita savings compared to $175 for high revenue, hospital-led ACOs. ACOs with more primary care clinicians achieved $401 per capita savings compared with $219.
4. ACOs with shared savings lowered hospital discharges, emergency department visits and skilled nursing facility stays compared with benchmarks. Sixteen ACOs owed $20.3 million in shared losses.
5. Nearly all ACOs met quality reporting requirements, with more shifting to digital measures that use electronic health information. ACOs also saw health outcomes improve around controlled blood pressure, poor A1c control and depression screenings.
