Farzad Mostashari on the 2021 Results for the Medicare Shared Savings Program

August 30, 2022

On August 30, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the final results for the Medicare Shared Savings Program in performance year 2021.

Our co-founder and CEO, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, shared his initial thoughts on what this news means for Aledade, the practices we serve, the Medicare program, and the entire health care system:

"Over the past eight years, independent primary care doctors and their staff, working with Aledade, have delivered more proactive, preventive, primary care to their patients, improving health outcomes and saving our health care system more than a billion dollars. Just last year, by helping physicians deliver more primary care to more than half a million Medicare beneficiaries, Aledade ACOs saved the Medicare program more than $390 million.

"CMS's announcement today shows that the Medicare Shared Savings Program is strong, resilient, and delivering results for patients, doctors and the entire nation. We're proud to say that, once again, these better health outcomes will lead to more revenue to independent primary care professionals – 9 out of every 10 practices in an Aledade ACO will earn a shared savings check this year. Four of the top 10 ACOs in MSSP were Aledade ACOs, and the top-performing MSSP ACO in the entire country was an Aledade ACO (PA MSSP PMA Enhanced).

"We're also proud that this work is bringing the benefits of empowered primary care to the patients who need it the most. We serve more than twice the MSSP average of low-income patients. Last year more than 65 percent of the practices we worked with were in a Primary Care Health Care Professional Shortage Area and nearly half were in a Medically Underserved Area. Value-based care means more primary care, better health, more savings, and more resources for those communities that need it most. 

"Today's news is a reminder that CMS's goal to have every Medicare beneficiary in an accountable care relationship by 2030 is the right thing to do. We need to get more physicians and patients into these payment models as quickly as possible. The results prove that it will mean better care and lower costs across the health care system. We're honored to be a part of such important work with dedicated health care professionals all across the country."