Recently CMS released an announcement of the creation of a database specifically designed to contain ACO-related information. I had hoped that it would clarify the type of data that would be released to ACOs, and the timing and frequency of the release. But the immortal words of Pete Townsend prevailed, and I was fooled again. It looks like this will primarily be an internal CMS database containing patient, provider and administrative data, which will largely be used by CMS. The notice does say that it can be made available to ACOs to allow them to "meet requirements and implement quality and other reporting requirements", which is pretty vague. The notice also reviews the privacy issues in issuing PHI or any other type of identifiable information, which doesn't clarify anything more than the draft regs did. So we're still waiting for any information that might help us learn what data we'll get and when we'll get it.
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