Device Industry Urges CMS To Protect Use Of Medical Innovations In ACO Program

In an attempt to prevent accountable care organizations from stifling medtech innovation, medical device groups are calling for widespread changes to a Medicare Shared Savings Program proposal unveiled earlier this spring.

CMS took comments through June 6 on its proposed ACO program, slated under health care reform to begin next January. (See “ Accountable Care Orgs: CMS Proposes Plans For New Health Delivery Strategy ” – “The Gray Sheet” April 4, 2011.)

ACO proponents believe that by encouraging more coordination in the care of individual patients, the voluntary program could lower health care costs by reducing duplicative tests and unnecessary hospitalizations, among other savings. Under the CMS proposal, Medicare would share cost savings with the ACO, which would then distribute its share of savings among participating providers.

Device industry stakeholders support these general aims, but raise concerns that as written, the rulemaking does not do enough to discourage providers from withholding medically necessary products and services.

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance recognizes the challenges that an accountable care organization faces in trying to simultaneously achieve the three goals set forth by CMS for the ACO program – better care for individuals, better health for populations and lower growth in expenditures by eliminating waste and inefficiencies – all while not withholding needed care.

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