The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued two important announcements related to the Affordable Care Act this week.
Thirty-two health care organizations from around the country were selected to participate in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACOs) Program. The Pioneer ACO program was designed for organizations with experience operating in ACO-like arrangements. These 32 health care organizations will be the first Medicare ACOs (Medicare Shared Savings Program participants). The Pioneer ACO program, which begins on January 1st, will encourage primary care providers, specialists, hospitals and other caregivers to provide more coordinated care for Medicare beneficiaries.
CMS also released a request for applications for the Independence at Home Demonstration Project, a program to encourage better care coordination through home-based primary care. The Independence at Home Project seeks to utilize home-based primary care teams to improve health outcomes and reduce expenditures for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. Applications are encouraged from multidisciplinary teams composed of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, social workers, and other supporting staff.
https://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/factsheet.asp?Counter=4230
NASW is interested in hearing from social workers involved with any of the 32 Pioneer ACO sites or with organizations planning to submit Independence at Home applications. Please contact Stacy collins at scollins@naswdc.org
