CMS Announces New ACO Initiative to Invest in Rural and Underserved Areas

​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new investment initiative for accountable care organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, announces an October 15, 2014, CMS press release. Designed to bring efforts to encourage quality improvement and better coordinate care to rural and underserved areas, this new ACO investment model will provide up to $114 million in up-front investments to up to 75 ACOs across the country. The initiative will provide up-front investments in infrastructure and redesigned care processes to help eligible ACOs continue to provide higher-quality care.