by Ross K. Friedberg, Shawn M. Gilman, and Lesley R. Yeung
On March 31, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Internal Revenue Service released four separate issuances providing the public with the opportunity to comment on the creation of accountable care organizations eligible for participation in the voluntary Medicare Shared Savings Program ("MSSP"). This alert sets forth a listing of each of the places in which the government agencies specifically request comments from the public. Even those organizations that ultimately may decide not to participate in the MSSP should still take advantage of this unique opportunity to provide these agencies with comments and help shape the modifications being proposed to the Medicare program.