Changes in Medicare Shared Savings Program Savings From 2013 to 2014

In the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), participating accountable care organizations (ACOs) are eligible for shared-savings bonuses from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) if spending for their patient population falls below a financial benchmark. In 2013, the first full year of the MSSP, modest spending reductions were entirely offset by bonus payments. Program savings beyond 2013 have not been formally evaluated.