5 Key Takeaways from the NAACOS Fall Conference 2024

Recently, the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations (NAACOS) hosted the largest conference organized exclusively by ACOs for leading value-based care experts and CMS officials to share timely and important updates for ACOs. Pearl Health’s Director of Enterprise Partnerships, Michael Dudley, joined other healthcare leaders at the conference to discuss the future of value-based care. Here are our five takeaways from the fall meetup:

  1. Uncertainty Remains Around Value-Based Models
    With the conference coming just weeks before this year’s general election, several discussions centered on potential electoral impacts to value-based models. The core tracks of CMS’ flagship value-based program, the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), have seen only minor updates even as some conference participants and others advocate for a capitation track within the program—sometimes called “Enhanced+”.
What will the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) do with the ACO REACH (Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health) model after the model is scheduled to end in 2026? This question remains unanswered—CMMI has made no clear indications of what model, if any, will replace REACH as it seeks to design risk models that achieve savings for the trust fund.

  1. Experimental Models With Limited Relevance Cause Fatigue
    While the future of ACO REACH is unknown, CMMI has continued to introduce additional models that build on the chassis of MSSP. Over the last two years, CMMI has launched Making Care Primary, the All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) model, the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, the ACO Investment model, Primary Care Flex (PC Flex), and other new models. GUIDE, which provides services for beneficiaries living with dementia and their caregivers, has had a positive reception. Other models have been considered more niche in their focus, limiting their relevance to some conference participants.
NAACOS brought together “Affinity Groups” to discuss trends and best practices with other ACO members, and these supplemental models were a sticking point. Primary Care Flex—designed as a “REACH Light” model combining some Primary Care Capitation and nominal upfront payments with an MSSP agreement—was considered a disappointment by some participants. CMMI approved nearly all PC Flex applicants, but ACOs exited the model given financial benefits would be limited after accounting for substantial reporting requirements associated with the capitation. However, participants agreed that PC Flex could be beneficial for an organization with a clear plan to restructure their care model to leverage capitation payments.

  1. Healthcare Applications of Artificial Intelligence are Top of Mind
    Artificial intelligence continued to be a major focus for conference presenters and participants, with sessions on AI’s potential role in optimizing medication management to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, improving outcomes with better care workflows, achieving the Triple Aim, and more.

Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Pearl, former CEO of Kaiser Permanente, highlighted the potential for AI to reduce medical errors, enhance diagnostic precision, and ease the burden on healthcare professionals. Dr. Pearl argued that AI will democratize medical expertise, arming patients with tools and knowledge once reserved only for doctors, and that this will have a significant impact on providers and the total cost of care.

  1. Establishing a Care Management Strategy is Key to Lowering Total Cost of Care
    One thing we love about the NAACOS conference is how members share best practices they’ve discovered during their transition to value-based care to help others succeed in their VBC journey. Building a strong care management strategy stood out as a key element for success. Meeting patients where they are—through practices like post-discharge follow-ups, Chronic Care Management, Home Health, and Remote Patient Monitoring—provides a clear path to lowering the total cost of care while improving outcomes.
NAACOS launched their inaugural “Excellence Awards” to feature organizations who are succeeding in value-based care. Award winner Dr. Sheila Magoon of Buena Vida y Salud ACO shared key learnings from their home health program, care transitions pilot, and other team-based programs—namely the importance of keeping clinical workflows as efficient and consistent as possible.

  1. Interest in Risk-Bearing VBC Models is Growing with Health Systems and Physician Groups
    Health systems and ACOs are increasingly seeing the value in taking on risk in value-based models—but it can be hard for practices without experience in risk to know how to take the first step. Our Chief Operating and Compliance Officer, Gabe Drapos, explored risk models and provider fit during the “Risky Business: Delegated Risk for CMS, CMMI, and Commercial VBC Models” panel alongside Jennifer Moore of MaineHealth ACO, Stephen Nuckolls of Community Care of North Carolina, Will Robinson of Harmony Cares, and Brent Staton of Cumberland Center for Health Innovation. With the right partner and analysis, providers can better evaluate the risk models available, understanding the financial impact to their bottom line and the potential for Shared Saving.

At Pearl Health, we are dedicated to driving the future of value-based care by empowering primary care organizations and providers with the tools and support they need to succeed. If you’re interested in learning how to allocate providers across VBC programs with a data-driven approach to optimize risk and maximize blended savings, we’d love to connect with you and provide a personalized analysis for your practice.

We can’t wait for the NAACOS Spring Conference in April 2025—see you in Baltimore!

Michael Dudley

Michael Dudley

Director, Enterprise Partnerships, Pearl Health

Robert Worley

Robert Worley

Senior Product Marketing Manager, Pearl Health

Our mission is to democratize access to value in healthcare

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