CMS has named the first 27 accountable care organizations to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, effective this month.

This past December, Newton, Mass.-based Atrius Health — the largest independent non-profit physician group in Massachusetts — was officially selected as a Pioneer Accountable Care Organization. In an effort to change the way patients and costs are managed in the healthcare system, Atrius Health is taking on a large responsibility — one that Gene Lindsey, MD, president and CEO of Atrius Health, takes very seriously.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons formally submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposals for accountable care organizations, focusing on payment provisions and asking for clarity regarding the specialists' roles, according to an AAOS Now report.

Premier Inc. and 19 health systems in its alliance are organizing two collaboratives to help health systems create accountable care organizations, according to a release by Premier.