News Report | November 3, 2019
ACOs Saved Medicare $1.7 Billion In 2018
During 2018, the 548 Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs) collectively saved Medicare $1.7 billion. After accounting for shared savings bonuses and collecting shared loss payments, net savings were $739 million. ACOs that received shared savings payments had decreases in inpatient, emergency room, and post-acute care spending and utilization. ACOs that increased spending relative to their targets tended to show increases in these areas.
Of the 548 ACOs in 2018, 205 ACOs generated savings and 70 generated losses; the remaining 273 generated no savings or losses. In total, 205 ACOs earned savings; 11 ACOs had losses (negative earned savings . . .