Medicare Shared Savings Program Policy Brief

Under recently updated Medicare Shared Savings Program rules, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services encourages formation of new accountable care organizations (ACOs), particularly to serve rural and underserved beneficiaries. State Medicaid agencies may wish to align efforts (e.g., related to investments in new ACOs, reducing disparities for underserved populations, ensuring reliable cost savings across years of accountable care arrangements). This brief examines key updates from the recently finalized rule, along with considerations and opportunities for states.