New Jersey's Medicaid ACO Pilot Program, Past and Future: A Baseline Report

Abstract

New Jersey’s Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Demonstration Project became law in 2011, representing a broad consensus that accountable care organizations (“ACOs”) could improve the delivery of care in the Medicaid system. ACOs offer the promise of providing “the right care, at the right time, in the right place.” The ACO law reflected a commitment to improve the care experience for Medicaid recipients, strengthen public health outcomes, and responsibly control the cost of care.

This Report is the first of two that will examine the past and future of New Jersey’s Medicaid ACO Pilot. This Report sets out the background and current status of the Pilot. The second Report, to be released in April 2014, will reflect further discussions with stakeholders and further research and analysis on the sustainability of New Jersey’s Medicaid ACOs.

Keywords: New Jersey, Medicaid Accountable Care Organization, Medicaid ACOs, antitrust, fraud and abuse, common law liability