New opportunities to learn about ACOs

CMS has recently announced several new opportunities for physicians and other health care professionals to learn about the new accountable care organization (ACO) model of care.

In June, CMS will hold two Open Door Forum calls about two of the newly announced initiatives:

• The Pioneer ACO Model, Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. eastern time. Dial 1-866-501-5502, Conference ID 70961782.
• The Advance Payment Initiative, Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. Dial 1-866-501-5502, Conference ID 71725238.

Over the course of the year, CMS will also be hosting four accelerated development learning sessions throughout the country at which physicians and other health care professionals interested in forming ACOs can learn more about the process in person. The first session will take place June 20 to 22 in Minneapolis. Subsequent sessions will be held in September in San Francisco, in October in Atlanta and in November in Philadelphia. Registration is now open for the June session.

Additional information about ACOs can be found on the ACP website.