This Week's News
AMA's comments on ACO regulation to call for interim final rule
The AMA will call for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to issue its upcoming regulation on accountable care organizations (ACO) as an interim final rule, not a final one, when it submits comments regarding the proposed rule in the next few days.
The AMA will share its comments with CMS in a letter from Executive Vice President and CEO Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA. Comments on the proposed rule are due June 6. Look for a full report in next week's AMA Wire.
In related news, the AMA urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) last week to change a proposed policy regarding antitrust enforcement of ACOs so physicians in all practice sizes can develop, lead and actively participate in ACOs.
The AMA submitted comments on the proposed policy to the FTC and DOJ on May 26. The AMA has stated previously that existing antitrust rules can make becoming part of an ACO difficult for physicians, especially those in small practices.
"The FTC and DOJ antitrust policy is a critical piece of the proposed rules governing ACOs, and it must lay the groundwork for the success of these new models of care," AMA President Cecil B. Wilson, MD, said in a statement. "Forming an ACO requires significant resources for physicians, and may include major changes to their practice. If physicians cannot see a clear path to forming an ACO, these models will not achieve their full potential to increase care coordination and promote cost savings."
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