Look before you leap: Shared risk programs and considerations for health systems

Healthcare reforms created the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which established financial incentives for accountable care organizations to deliver more effective and efficient care to Medicare beneficiaries. But shared risk is not unique to Medicare. There has been major activity among health systems and payors in commercial and other insurance markets. Shared risk agreements are a starting point for health system organizations to move from fee-for-service payment structures to population-based payment arrangements.