ACO REACH Model

Background

On February 24, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center announced the ACO Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) Model that will replace the Global and Professional Direct Contracting Model (GPDC) beginning January 1, 2023. Much like GPDC, this model builds on the successful Next Generation ACO Model to offer higher levels of risk and reward than the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and will include two participation options, Professional and Global, for each of the three types of ACOs: Standard, New Entrant, and High Needs Populations. The new ACO REACH Model differs from GPDC in many ways, including increased provider governance, a heightened focus on health equity, improvements to risk adjustment, lower discounts, and others. The model will run through 2026, the original term of GPDC. 

Questions or feedback about the model are welcomed and can be sent to [email protected].  

Overview 

CMS Resources

NAACOS News and Resources
NAACOS has established an ACO REACH Coalition to promote shared learning and advocate on behalf of providers in this new Medicare value-based payment model.  Current NAACOS members have access to all resources and benefits of the new coalition’s benefits of the new coalition. If you are not currently a NAACOS or ACO REACH Coalition member, please sign up. This initiative is open to qualifying organizations only and will not accept personal email addresses (no Gmail, yahoo, etc.).

  • NAACOS summary of 2024 changes to ACO REACH 

  • Summary of NAACOS’s Advocacy Positions on ACO REACH 

  • NAACOS Overview of ACO REACH’s Quality Measurement Methodology 

  • NAACOS Summary of ACO REACH Financial Specifications 
  • NAACOS FAQs on the ACO REACH Model 

  • NAACOS April 4 webinar -- ACO REACH Model - Next Steps for Evaluating and Applying 

  • NAACOS March 10 webinar -- Understanding Medicare's Latest Accountable Care Model 

  • NAACOS MSSP vs. REACH ACO Comparison Chart 

  • NAACOS Summary of ACO REACH Model 

  • Thanks to extensive advocacy efforts by NAACOS, our members, and coalition partners, the GPDC Model was not cancelled in 2022, but instead will evolve into the ACO REACH Model to better reflect the priorities of accountable care, including an increased focus on provider-led ACOs and addressing health equity. To learn more about these efforts, refer to the NAACOS GPDC page.

  • NAACOS Statement of Support for New ACO REACH Model

  • NAACOS is pleased to see the increased focus on addressing equity in the ACO REACH Model, and many of the equity-focused elements included reflect recommendations made by NAACOS to support ACOs in their work to address health equity. More details on this work can be found on the ACOs and Health Equity page.

  • A new NAACOS Listserv on the ACO REACH Model is designed to discuss issues related to applying for and participating in the model, including questions about participation, model details, data, and policy matters. NAACOS and REACH Coalition members may participate in this listserv, but it requires you to complete this additional sign up form.