The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last week announced a second round of applications for the Next Generation Accountable Care Organization program.

Providers interested in Next Generation ACO participation beginning Jan. 1, 2017, must submit a letter of intent by April 1. More information on the Next Generation ACO, including instructions for letter of intent and application submission, is available online.

The Next Generation ACO program provides participating organizations enhanced opportunities to share in generated Medicare savings – and losses. The Next Generation ACO model also allows for the waiver of certain Medicare payment rules, such as the skilled nursing facility three-day-stay rule and additional flexibility to use telehealth services to improve care coordination.

CMS announced earlier this year the 2016 round of 21 Next Generation ACOs, including one New Jersey participant.