ACO Rules Revised to Entice Greater Participation

The latest ACO rules revision; requires half the number of performance measurements, removes the electronic health records requirement and eliminates financial risks for some groups. CMS also relaxed the timetable for the launch of the ACOs with groups allowing them to apply throughout 2012. To entice providers, CMS said it will make $170 million available starting next year to physician-owned and rural providers to start ACOs (Gold and Galewitz, 10/20).