Stay informed with the latest updates and news from CMS and SOMOS. Our comprehensive news section provides you with timely and detailed information on a wide range of topics, ensuring you are always up-to-date with the developments that matter most to you. Explore the news articles below to find out more about recent events, policy changes, and insights from CMS and SOMOS.
CMS announced that accountable care participation in Medicare continues to grow in 2026, with an estimated 14.3 million beneficiaries receiving coordinated care through ACOs, up from 13.7 million in 2025. In Performance Year 2024, the most recently reconciled performance year, Shared Savings Program ACOs earned shared savings totaling $4.1 billion and saved Medicare $2.5 billion. The current administration continues to grow ACO participation through changes to the Shared Savings Program and CMS Innovation Center models
Posted on: 2026-02-04In the CY 2026 PFS final rule, CMS finalized policies to shorten the maximum time eligible ACOs can remain in one-sided risk models from 7 to 5 years, and increased flexibility regarding minimum beneficiary requirements and benchmark policies. Quality performance standard and other quality reporting requirements will modified and adjustments like the health equity adjustment will be removed. CMS is also expanding protections for ACOs affected by cyberattacks and strengthening reporting requirements for ownership changes, and refining beneficiary assignment, benchmarking, and quality monitoring policies.
Posted on: 2025-10-31The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule includes changes to the Shared Savings Program to further advance Medicare’s value-based care strategy of growth, alignment, and equity. Main proposals include a new “prepaid shared savings” option for eligible ACOs to promote investments in beneficiary services and care coordination, along with modifications to the financial methodology to support ACOs through a health equity benchmark adjustment. Additionally, CMS is proposing to streamline the collection types available for Shared Savings Program ACOs reporting the APP Plus quality measure set to focus on only eCQM and Medicare CQM collection types.
Posted on: 2024-07-10In 2024, CMS expanded its ACO initiatives, with 480 ACOs now serving over 13.7 million Medicare beneficiaries through improved care coordination and quality. These efforts, particularly the ACO REACH and Kidney Care Choices models, focus on underserved and rural populations, enhancing access to equitable and affordable healthcare. This expansion has proven effective in improving health outcomes and reducing costs.
Posted on: 2024-01-29CMS finalized policies in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to bolster primary care, health equity, and caregiver support. Changes include payment for illness navigation services, expanded access to mental health services, and dental coverage for cancer-related treatments. Additionally, the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Expanded Model's flexibilities are extended to increase access for underserved communities.
Posted on: 2023-11-02CMS announced that the Medicare Shared Savings Program saved $1.8 billion in 2022, marking six consecutive years of savings and high-quality care. Emphasizing the importance of accountable care organizations (ACOs), Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the program's success in delivering savings and quality care to millions of beneficiaries, with proposed changes aiming to expand ACO participation and promote equity in rural and underserved areas.
Posted on: 2023-08-24We are thrilled to announce the unembargoed data for the CMS Medicare Shared Savings Program for Performance Year 2024.
SOMOS ACO, which is co-owned 50% by CCACO, achieved an exceptional earned savings rate of 10.61%. This marks a significant 27.95% increase compared to our 8.3% savings rate in 2023, showcasing our continued commitment to providing high-quality, value-based care.
This outstanding performance ranks SOMOS as #3 out of the 30 New York State–based ACOs for savings rate. For comparison, our neighboring ACO earned a rate of 4.85%.
This marks our 11th consecutive year of Shared Savings.
Congratulations to the entire community on this remarkable achievement.
Posted on: 2026-07-12The National Association of ACOs applauds the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for advancing the Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act. The bill would ease burdensome quality reporting requirements by directing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to pilot a new, more practical approach to digital quality reporting. This approach would align reporting mandates with accountable care organizations’ efforts to improve the quality of care and reduce administrative costs, allowing providers to put more resources back into patient care.
Posted on: 2026-05-14The Accountable Care Prospective Trend (ACPT) created by CMS to “allow for benchmarks to increase beyond actual spending growth rates as ACOs slow spending growth”, is now causing significant financial harm due to inaccurate spending forecasts. In 2024, the ACPT missed actual Medicare spending growth by 94 percent, causing $187 million cut to ACOs’ shared savings, and in 2025, spending was nearly 60 percent higher than ACPT projections, impacting nearly 500,000 clinicians. CMS has already acknowledged these flaws and there are calls by ACOs to eliminate ACPT weighting for 2025 or implement guardrails to protect ACOs from future forecasting mistakes.
Posted on: 2026-05-06SOMOS Community Care has been at the forefront of providing healthcare to Black and Latino families in New York City throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving over 1 million Medicaid and Medicare patients across more than 700 clinics, SOMOS, led by Dr. Ramon Tallaj, has administered tests, vaccinations, and meals to the community. Despite losses suffered during the pandemic, SOMOS remains committed to addressing long-term symptoms, such as depression and substance abuse, and is applying for a state pilot program to provide comprehensive care for mental health and substance abuse crises. Additionally, SOMOS is dedicated to reducing asthma and dialysis rates in Black and brown patients through preventive care initiatives.
Posted on: 2024-03-11SOMOS Community Care, led by Dr. Ramon Tallaj, is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to underserved communities in New York. Founded in 2014 as part of the state's Medicaid redesign program, SOMOS comprises over 2,500 providers committed to improving healthcare outcomes for Medicaid and Medicare patients. Through preventive care, early intervention, and community engagement, SOMOS has made significant strides in reducing hospital readmissions, diabetic complications, and addressing healthcare disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By prioritizing patient-centered, relationship-based care and addressing social determinants of health, SOMOS aims to empower individuals and families to lead healthier lives and foster intergenerational health in the communities it serves.
Posted on: 2023-07-13In New York, deteriorating air quality, largely attributed to ozone pollutants and exacerbated by carbon emissions, is increasingly affecting residents, particularly children. High levels of pollution, especially in areas like the Bronx, where asthma rates are significantly elevated, are leading to more pediatric respiratory issues and longer hospital stays. Parents like Mary Guy are taking extra precautions to protect their children, such as keeping windows closed on days with poor air quality.
Posted on: 2023-07-12