Over 400 Medicare accountable care organizations generated more than $466 million in total program savings in 2015, according to the latest data from CMS. However, Medicare spent $217 million more in bonuses than the ACO program saved.  The data is from the financial results of 392 organizations participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and 12 enrolled in the Pioneer ACO program.

Among ACOs that started in 2012, 42 percent generated savings large enough to qualify for payments, compared to just 21 percent for those that joined the program in 2015. The 12 Pioneer ACOs achieved savings of $37 million last year, according to CMS. Half of them reduced spending enough to keep some of the savings. The administration has set a goal of having 50 percent of Medicare payments flowing through alternative payment models by 2018. More article Steven lash.