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ACO REACH

ACO REACH Model

The ACO REACH Model provides novel tools and resources for health care providers to work together in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) to improve the quality of care for people with Original Medicare. Redesigned from the Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model, it encourages providers to break down silos and deliver high-quality, coordinated care.

Active since 2023-01-01

Innovation

Redesigned from the GPDC Model, ACO REACH introduces a new Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive and implements an adjusted financial methodology to improve model sustainability.

The Problem

The health care system can be challenging to navigate, particularly for patients with chronic conditions and those who receive care from multiple providers who do not communicate with each other. These patients often receive unnecessary, repeat diagnostic tests or conflicting treatments for their different health conditions, and their primary care physician, if they have one, may not have a full picture of the treatment received by other providers.

The Solution

The ACO REACH Model encourages health care providers — including primary and specialty care doctors, hospitals, and others — to come together to form an Accountable Care Organization, or ACO. ACOs break down silos and deliver high-quality, coordinated care to their patients, improve health outcomes, and manage costs.

Expected Outcomes

People with Medicare in a REACH ACO get help navigating the health system and managing their conditions. They may have greater access to enhanced benefits, such as telehealth visits, home care after leaving the hospital, and help with co-pays.

Strategy

ACOs are critical partners in empowering people to manage their conditions to keep them healthier longer.

Model Goals

  • Improve the quality of care for people with Original Medicare
  • Break down silos and deliver high-quality, coordinated care
  • Improve health outcomes
  • Manage costs

Patient Eligibility

People with Original Medicare, particularly those with chronic conditions.

  • Must be enrolled in Original Medicare

Provider Eligibility

Health care providers who come together to form an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

  • Must be part of a REACH ACO
  • Includes primary and specialty care physicians, hospitals, and others

Care Categories

Chronic Disease Management

Chronic conditionsSubstance access

CMS Benchmarks & Thresholds

financial

Risk Arrangement TypeGlobal risk option (100%)
SAHS Excluded HCPCS CodesA4353,A5057
High Needs ACO Coding Intensity Factor (CIF) Ceiling (Current Policy)0.01%
High Needs ACO Coding Intensity Factor (CIF) Ceiling (PY0.02%
High Needs ACO Risk Score Growth Cap (Current Policy)0.1%
High Needs ACO Asymmetric Risk Score Growth Cap for Newly Aligned Beneficiaries (PY0.08%
Standard ACO Benchmark Historical Expenditure Weighting (PY 2024-0.55%
Standard ACO Benchmark Historical Expenditure Weighting (PY0.6%
Standard ACO Benchmark Regional Expenditure Weighting (PY0.4%
New Entrant and High Needs ACO Benchmark Historical Expenditure Weighting (PY0.5%
New Entrant and High Needs ACO Benchmark Regional Expenditure Weighting (PY0.5%
New Entrant and High Needs ACO Benchmark Historical Expenditure Weighting (PY0.55%
New Entrant and High Needs ACO Benchmark Regional Expenditure Weighting (PY0.45%
Minimum Savings Rate (Global Risk Option, Current Policy)0.25%
First Risk Corridor for Global Risk Option (PY0.1%
Risk Adjustment Model V24 Weight (PY0.33%
Risk Adjustment Model V28 Weight (PY0.67%
Risk Adjustment Model V28 Weight (PY1%
Standard ACO Additional Risk Score Growth Cap (PY0.03%
Count of SAHS Excluded HCPCS Codes2
Standard ACO Coding Intensity Factor (CIF) Ceiling (Current Policy)0.01%
Standard ACO Risk Score Growth Cap (Current Policy)0.03%
Standard ACO Benchmark Regional Expenditure Weighting (PY 2024-0.45%

operational

Performance Period Length48
Performance Period Length in Years4
Performance Period Start Year2,023
Performance Period End Year2,026
Number of Participants74

quality

Quality Withhold (PY0.05%
Quality Withhold (Current Policy)0.02%

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