2018 Next Generation ACO Model Applications Reopened by CMS

In accordance to the alternative payment model’s webpage, the providers who are interested in participating in the Next Generation Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model in the year of 2018 can now submit a letter of intent to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Next Generation ACO model is presently up to 45 total ACOs for 2017 participation after CMS recently added twenty-eight new participants. But the federal agency plans to up participation in the next few years to maximize the number of Advanced Alternative Payment Model clinicians.
In December 2016, CMS declared that it will re-open the 2018 application procedure for the risk-based ACO model to assist more eligible clinicians in the Quality Payment Program join an Advanced Alternative Payment Model. Providers in an approved Alternative Payment Model in the year of 2018 will be eligible to gain a 5% Medicare Part B incentive payment in the year of 2020 relying on quality performance.
The Next Generation ACO model has been qualified as an Advanced Alternative Payment Model because the model provides higher two-sided financial risk options in comparison to the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Pioneer ACO model. The model also reviews how powerful financial incentives can advance patient outcomes and decrease Medicare spending on fee-for-service beneficiaries.
The federal agency also reported on the same December 2016 announcement that it will re-open the 2018 application process for the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Program. The two-sided financial risk model will also qualify as an Advanced Alternative Payment Model in the year of 2018.
CMS intends for 25% of eligible clinicians in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) to moderately participate in an approved Advanced Alternative Payment Model by the year of 2018 by adding more participation opportunities fr both risk-bearing alterative payment models.
Interested providers must submit a letter of intent by the day of May 4 to apply for 2018 Next Generation ACO model participation. The letter can be found on the webpage of model and must be returned to CMS in case to complete an application.
The model’s application portal will open in the month of March and all applications will be due in May, CMS reported.
With the latest application opportunity for the Next Generation ACO model, though, providers should remember that the re-opened application procedure will be the final round of Next Generation ACO applications. ACOs chosen to participate won’t be capable to defer partaking in the model in the year of 2018.
CMS will hold 2 webinars for providers seeking more information over the ACO model’s application process that provide a basic overview of the model and letter of intent requirements on the following dates:
• Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017
• Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 
The federal agency will also hold other webinars that concentrate on particular aspects of the Next Generation ACO model and its application procedure. The following webinars will be available:
• Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 – “Next Generation ACO Model Financial Methodology Overview”
• Tuesday, March 14, 2017 – “Overview of the Next Generation ACO Model Application and Participant List Process”
• Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – “Next Generation ACO Model Benefit Enhancements Overview”
• Tuesday, April 11, 2017 – “Overview of Population-Based Payments and All-Inclusive Population-Based Payments”
• Tuesday, April 15, 2017 – “Deep Dive: Completing Your Next Generation ACO Model Participant List”
For webinar’s registration, interested providers can visit the Next Generation ACO model’s webpage.