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The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice have issued a joint summary of the activities of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Working Group between October 2011 and March 31, 2013.  The FTC and DOJ established the Working Group to collaborate and discuss issues concerning ACOs created under the Affordable Care Act of 2010.  The Act encourages physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers to integrate their health care delivery systems in order to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care services. 

The summary, which follows issuance of the agencies’ October 2011 antitrust enforcement policy statement regarding ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, reports that during the time period covered, the ACO Working Group fielded 33 questions related principally to primary service area (PSA) share calculations, and two requests for voluntary expedited review from proposed ACOs.

Under the policy statement, an ACO may calculate its PSA shares to determine whether the ACO falls within an antitrust safety zone for certain ACOs that are highly likely to raise significant competitive concerns.  The ACO Working Group responded to most of the 33 PSA share questions within five business days, and in connection with the release of this summary is now making the questions and answers publicly available on their websites.  The largest category of questions concerned obtaining and using Medicare and other data to calculate PSA shares.

Also under the policy statement, a newly formed ACO may request voluntary expedited antitrust review of its program.  Both of the ACOs that sought such review during the time period covered by the summary withdrew their requests.  (The staff contact is Saralisa Brau, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2774)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action.  To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001.  To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.