In its final MACRA rule, CMS added a new track, MSSP Track 1+ ACO, which aims to expand participation for providers, according to Lexology.
Here are five notes:
1. The track will work to limit downside risk and add more flexibility for providers, particularly those practicing in small or rural practices.
2. Compared to MSSP Track 2 and Track 3, Track 1+ Model has a lower shared savings rate and features more limited downside risk. Providers' level of downside risk is based on ACO composition, with risk being lower for small or rural hospitals or physicians.
3. The Track 1+ Model offers a prospective beneficiary assignment, allowing ACOS to know in advance which patient population for which they are responsible. This feature is similar to Track 3 ACOs.
4. The track allows nearly 70,000 clinicians to possibly quality for Advanced APM incentive payments under the Quality Payment Program in 2018.
5. CMS will give more details regarding Track 1+ participation in the next few months.