Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act
Last recorded step: House, Jul 13, 2026.
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This bill would delay new Medicare quality reporting requirements for ACOs and establish a pilot program for digital reporting methods.
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Last regenerated The bill has had legislative action since.
What it does
This bill would delay a 2024 federal rule requiring Medicare Shared Savings Program participants to use a specific electronic system for reporting quality measures, instead allowing them to use previous reporting methods through 2029. It also proposes a pilot program from 2028 to 2032 to test alternative digital reporting methods for these organizations. Participating groups would be exempt from other reporting requirements during the pilot, and the government would be required to publish an analysis of the results and recommendations.
Who is affected
This bill primarily affects Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program by allowing them to continue using older quality reporting methods through 2029. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is also affected, as the agency is required to establish and analyze a new pilot program for alternative digital reporting methods. Additionally, ACOs that volunteer for the pilot program between 2028 and 2032 will be exempt from standard reporting requirements during their participation.
Key provisions
- Delay of electronic quality measure reporting requirements. The bill allows accountable care organizations (ACOs) under the Medicare Shared Savings Program to continue using previous reporting methods for quality measures through 2029, postponing a 2024 CMS rule that required a specific electronic system starting in 2025.
- Establishment of a digital reporting pilot program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must create a pilot program from 2028 to 2032 to test alternative digital reporting methods for ACOs. Participating organizations are exempt from using other mandated reporting methods during the pilot period.
- Analysis and recommendations for tested reporting methods. CMS is required to publicly post an analysis of the pilot program's results. This must include recommendations regarding the potential future use of the tested digital reporting methods.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The bill allows accountable care organizations to continue using prior quality reporting methods through 2029, delaying requirements originally set to begin in 2025. Additionally, the bill mandates a pilot program for alternative digital reporting methods to operate from 2028 through 2032.
Relationship to existing law
This bill modifies reporting requirements for the Medicare Shared Savings Program by delaying the implementation of a 2024 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule regarding electronic quality measure reporting. It allows accountable care organizations to continue using prior reporting methods through 2029 and establishes a pilot program to test alternative digital methods.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to provide administrative flexibility for accountable care organizations (ACOs) by delaying mandatory electronic quality measure reporting requirements and allowing the use of prior reporting methods through 2029. It also seeks to identify and evaluate alternative digital reporting methods through the establishment of a five-year pilot program.