CMS just released the 2024 results for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP)—and the message is clear: performance pays.

A record-setting 75% of ACOs earned shared savings this year, the highest success rate since the program began. CMS also reinforced its commitment to MSSP as a core lever to “Make America Healthy Again,” focused on lowering total cost of care and improving outcomes.

For provider organizations, MSSP is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s becoming a core revenue strategy. In a financial climate defined by rising input costs, flat commercial rates, Medicaid cuts, and increased pressure from underperforming MA plans, MSSP offers one of the few levers where clinical alignment and operational execution can drive meaningful and predictable return.

MSSP Delivers Real Revenue

For health systems, medical groups, and IPAs navigating tightening margins, MSSP has matured into a consistent and scalable source of performance-based revenue. Consider:

• Clinician-led ACOs are generating high-single-digit margins on attributed Medicare populations.
• Top-performing groups are earning seven- and even eight-figure annual shared savings payouts.
• Organizations that own the infrastructure—not sharing savings with conveners—are reinvesting those dollars into care redesign, data infrastructure, and aligned provider incentives.

In short: MSSP isn’t just about delivering value. It’s about capturing it.

Favorable Benchmark Environment for 2026–2027

National health expenditures grew 8.2% in 2024 and are projected to grow another 7.1% in 2025. These cost trends are pushing MSSP benchmarks higher across the board—creating a unique opportunity for ACOs that can hold spending growth below national averages.

Groups that prepare now may be entering the program during one of the most favorable benchmark periods in MSSP history.

To capture this opportunity, organizations need:

• Strong clinical and administrative alignment
• Leakage reduction strategies
• Optimized post-acute spend
• Clean, accurate documentation and coding

CMS also signaled openness to adjusting the 5-year upside-only limit and the 5,000 attribution minimum, potentially lowering barriers for new entrants.

Stop Giving Away the Upside

Too many ACOs continue to rely on third-party conveners or enablement partners—many of whom take a large cut of the value being created. While these partners may help get started, they become expensive as ACO performance improves.

If your organization is delivering the results—managing care, reducing utilization, engaging clinicians—why give away half the reward?

Owning your ACO infrastructure means controlling strategy, performance, and return.

The Strategic Window Is Now
If your organization is considering MSSP entry or renewal in 2026 or 2027, now is the time to act. Favorable benchmarks are likely. Financial pressure is increasing. And the opportunity to own your upside has never been clearer.

How COPE Health Solutions Can Help
COPE Health Solutions partners with provider organizations to:

• Launch and grow independent Medicare ACOs
• Transition away from shared savings conveners
• Build internal infrastructure to sustain performance
• Deliver financial modeling and scenario planning to guide MSSP strategy

MSSP delivers real results. The only question is, who should benefit from the value your organization creates?

Contact us at info@copehealthsolutions.com or visit copehealthsolutions.com to learn more.