An application template is now available for the Advance Payment ACO Model. Through the Advance Payment Model, selected physician-based and rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program will receive advance payments that will be recouped from the shared savings they earn. Applications for an April 1 2012 start date for the Advance Payment Model will be accepted from January 3- February 1, 2012. For a July 1, 2012 start date, applications will be accepted March 1-March 30.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will host an Open Door Forum to review the Advance Payment ACO Model and the application template on Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 12:30-2:00 PM MST. Call in information will be posted on the Advance Payment website.