The Consortium of Independent Physician Associations has formed a new Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization for Michigan and Ohio physicians.
CIPA, a regional physician network of 1,200 physicians, will apply to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program as CIPA ACO, effective January 1, 2017, the association said in a June 8 announcement.
The doctors, hospitals and healthcare providers in the ACO will collaborate care for their population of Medicare fee-for-service patients. In addition, doctors in the ACO will have the opportunity to participate in federal shared savings incentive programs.
[Also: CMS finalizes rules for Shared Savings ACOs, will account for regional benchmarks]
Financial incentives have made physician ACOs more common. For independent physicians, ACOs present an opportunity to remain autonomous while improving patient outcomes and earning a sustainable return.
The federal government recently finalized Medicare Shared Savings rules that encourage more physicians to form accountable care organizations.
Healthcare consultant Medicare Advantage Group will handle the administrative support needed for CMS interactions for CIPA ACO, the Consortium of Independent Physician Associations said.
This includes monthly analysis of CMS data to identify cost and quality improvement opportunities; annual quality data submissions to CMS; and Medicare patient analysis to identify patients requiring wellness visits, preventive services, and possible coding updates.
[Also: CMS pivots on Comprehensive Primary Care Plus model to allow Shared Savings ACOs]
Medicare Advantage Group will also provide training, clinical and technical support services to identify opportunities for cost improvement, and analytic reports to help doctors monitor performance and population health management.
"To be successful in the current healthcare market, physicians need to be open to change," said Medical Director Robert Jackson, MD. "That is, to embrace and implement clinical integration, population health management, and aligned reimbursement models as available within an ACO."
[Also: Cigna, Integrated Independent Physicians Network in Florida form ACO]
CIPA will be hosting an informational webinar at noon on Wednesday, June 22.
The association allows smaller groups of physicians to participate in pay-for-performance programs and value-based contracts that are normally only available to larger groups.
It has a network of 40 physician organizations across Michigan and Ohio representing 1,200 primary care physicians and specialists in 550 practices.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse