The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced new options and initiatives for providers interested in becoming Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).  First, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) will support a new ACO model that will be available to providers this summer – the Pioneer ACO Model, which is designed for advanced organizations ready to participate in shared savings. Second, the Innovation Center is seeking comment on the idea of an Advance Payment ACO Model that would provide additional up-front funding to providers to support the formation of new ACOs.  And third, provider groups interested in learning more about how to coordinate patient care through ACOs can attend free new Accelerated Development Learning Sessions.  Read more.