CHA ACO, LLC improves care for Medicare patients, saves Medicare $4.7 million

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – CHA Accountable Care Organization (ACO), LLC, operated by Beacon Health System, improved care for over 11,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Indiana and southwest Michigan in 2023, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  

As part of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, accountable care organizations that meet quality and cost goals are authorized to receive a portion of the savings they produce for Medicare beneficiaries. CHA ACO saved Medicare $4.7 million, earning the South Bend-based ACO $3.5 million in a shared savings bonus in 2023. Some of these savings will be reinvested in new technologies and ongoing care coordination efforts. 

“Having been part of the MSSP program since 2014, Beacon Health has consistently prioritized collaboration with providers to enhance patient care, improve quality and reduce costs,” said Diane Maas, Chief Strategy and Digital Transformation Officer at Beacon Health. “Our ACO is demonstrably improving care and achieving cost savings while preserving patient choice of Medicare providers.” 

Clinicians and providers share best practices to coordinate the care beneficiaries receive from different primary care and specialty providers and to prevent health issues and repeat hospitalizations. Maas said CHA ACO also focuses on ensuring smooth patient transitions from the hospital to home. 

In 2023, CHA ACO included Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Elkhart General Hospital, Community Hospital of Bremen, Beacon Medical Group and many hospital-based providers who serve Indiana and southwest Michigan. CHA ACO initially joined the Medicare Shared Savings Program in 2014 and since that time saved Medicare over $29.5 million. CHA ACO has received over $17 million in shared savings payments.  

“The Medicare ACO Shared Savings Program stands as the nation’s most extensive value-based payment model and serves as an essential instrument in advancing Beacon Health System toward better value,” Maas said. “This marks the 10th year our CHA ACO has participated in the program and the fifth consecutive year it has achieved shared savings.” 

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