Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations (hospital, doctor, benefits)

[mike1003]

Not sure I want to opt out, or not. Any suggestions?

I received this notice from my PCP

Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations

Your provider is participating in Mercy Health Select, LLC, an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). An ACO is a group of doctors, hospitals, and/or other health care providers that work together to improve the quality and experience of care you receive. ACOs receive a portion of any savings that result from reducing costs and meeting quality requirements.
Medicare evaluates how well each ACO meets these goals every year. Those ACOs that do a good job can earn a financial bonus. ACOs that earn a bonus may use the payment to invest more in your care or share a portion directly with your providers. ACOs may owe a penalty if their care increases costs.

Your provider’s participation in Mercy Health Select, LLC doesn’t limit your choice of health care providers. Your Medicare benefits are not changing. You still have the right to visit any doctor, hospital, or other provider that accepts Medicare at any time, just like you do now.

To help us coordinate your health care better, Medicare shares information about your care with your providers. If you don’t want Medicare to share your health care information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

[athena53]

I"m not an expert but one facet of this program is monitoring prescription refills. If you're on anything regular and don't refill on schedule your provider will get dinged. They, in turn, may follow up with you. I'm on one prescription that I use a bit irregularly (a topical cream to alleviate a symptom of menopause, so not life-or-death) and get annoying robo-calls from the pharmacy every time their computer thinks I should be refilling it.