Summary: Even though the specifics of Medicare's Shared Savings Program have yet to be defined, physician organizations can still position themselves to achieve cost savings through an independent accountable care organization (ACO), notes Jeffrey R. Ruggiero, Esq., a partner in the law firm of Arnold and Porter LLP, who is advising the Queens County Medical Society on its ACO approach. The advisor to one of New York State's largest physician ACOs describes the advantages of a physician-run ACO as well as some of the regulatory, compliance and operational factors to consider prior to ACO launch. Ruggiero described the Queens County Medical Society's ACO development approach during "Physician-Owned ACOs: Overcoming the Legal and Regulatory Compliance Challenges," a 45-minute webinar on January 19, 2011.
