Budget deal's changes to Medicare ACO program encourage patient engagement

Congress' budget deal that passed late last week included several changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program that experts say will motivate beneficiaries to be more engaged in their care.

The bill, signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, establishes the ACO Beneficiary Incentive Program, which would allow accountable care organizations to pay patients if they make primary-care appointments. The budget agreement also will allow beneficiaries to assign a physician in an ACO as their primary-care provider.