ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 3350
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3350Health
ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2025
INTRO DEC 4· LAST ACTION DEC 4
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it updates how Medicare recognizes primary care. Many Americans, particularly in rural or underserved areas, rely on nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists for their regular health check-ups and basic medical needs. By formally counting these providers' services for patient assignment in ACOs, the bill acknowledges their crucial role in the healthcare system.
If this bill becomes law, it could help improve coordinated care for more Medicare patients by bringing them under the umbrella of an ACO. This might lead to better health outcomes and more efficient spending. If it doesn't become law, these patients would continue to be less likely to be formally assigned to an ACO through their non-physician primary care providers, potentially limiting the reach of the Shared Savings Program and the benefits of coordinated care it aims to provide.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Expands the criteria for assigning Medicare beneficiaries to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) within the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
This allows more Medicare patients to be formally linked to ACOs, potentially improving care coordination for a wider group.
PROVISION 02
Includes primary care services provided by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists as a basis for beneficiary assignment.
It formally recognizes the significant role these non-physician providers play in delivering primary care to Medicare patients.
PROVISION 03
Stipulates that these new assignment rules will apply to performance years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
This sets a clear effective date for when ACOs and Medicare will implement the expanded patient assignment methodology.
This bill matters because it updates how Medicare recognizes primary care. Many Americans, particularly in rural or underserved areas, rely on nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists for their regular health check-ups and basic medical needs. By formally counting these providers' services for patient assignment in ACOs, the bill acknowledges their crucial role in the healthcare system.
If this bill becomes law, it could help improve coordinated care for more Medicare patients by bringing them under the umbrella of an ACO. This might lead to better health outcomes and more efficient spending. If it doesn't become law, these patients would continue to be less likely to be formally assigned to an ACO through their non-physician primary care providers, potentially limiting the reach of the Shared Savings Program and the benefits of coordinated care it aims to provide.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Expands the criteria for assigning Medicare beneficiaries to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) within the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
This allows more Medicare patients to be formally linked to ACOs, potentially improving care coordination for a wider group.
high
Includes primary care services provided by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists as a basis for beneficiary assignment.
It formally recognizes the significant role these non-physician providers play in delivering primary care to Medicare patients.
med
Stipulates that these new assignment rules will apply to performance years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
This sets a clear effective date for when ACOs and Medicare will implement the expanded patient assignment methodology.
Performance years beginning on or after January 1, 2026
New beneficiary assignment rules based on services from nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists take effect.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Medicare Shared Savings Program
A Medicare program that encourages groups of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to work together as an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) to give high-quality coordinated care to their Medicare patients. If they provide good care and spend healthcare dollars wisely, the ACO can share in the savings achieved for Medicare.
Accountable Care Organization (ACO)
A group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who come together voluntarily to give coordinated high-quality care to their Medicare patients. The goal is to ensure patients get the right care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and preventing medical errors.
Beneficiary
A person who receives benefits from a program, in this case, a person enrolled in Medicare.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
A registered nurse with advanced education and clinical training who provides primary and specialty healthcare services, often including diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medication, and ordering tests, within their scope of practice.
Physician Assistant (PA)
A healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, assist in surgery, and prescribe medication.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
DEC 4, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 4, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S8512)
A registered nurse with advanced education and expertise in a specific area of nursing practice (e.g., critical care, pediatrics). CNSs often focus on improving patient outcomes and nursing practice through direct care, education, research, and consultation.
Primary Care Services
Basic, routine healthcare services provided by a primary care doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. This includes preventive care, health maintenance, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, and patient education.
