September marks Healthy Aging Month, a time to reflect on what it takes for communities to age well and thrive. In healthcare, that means moving beyond reactive care and focusing on the systems, data, and partnerships that support long-term wellness. For Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), quality reporting is a key part of that vision.

As we approach the announcement of the 2026 Final Rule, ACOs participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) or ACO REACH are set to face a critical transition. CMS requires reporting on four electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) for all patients, across all payers:

• CMS122: Diabetes – Hemoglobin A1c Poor Control (>9%)
• CMS165: Controlling High Blood Pressure
• CMS125: Breast Cancer Screening
• CMS2: Depression Screening and Follow-Up

These measures, combined with CAHPS survey results and claims-based admission data, form the backbone of today’s ACO quality performance. And in 2026, expectations around digital reporting, equity, and patient experience are expected to climb higher still.

So how can ACOs move from compliance to confidence and keep quality reporting from feeling like a burden? The answer lies in taking proactive steps now, with strategies rooted in prevention, alignment, and collaboration. Keep reading to learn five quick recommended strategies for ACO reporting.

Build a Foundational System Quality reporting starts with data. Without a unified system to pull together EHR, claims, and social determinants, ACOs risk incomplete or inaccurate submissions. Measures like CMS122 (HbA1c control) and CMS165 (blood pressure control) require accurate, longitudinal data that is often scattered across systems.

When ACOs centralize their data infrastructure, the payoff is threefold with:

• Improved accuracy, fewer measure errors, and higher scores
• Clearer identification of high-risk groups and gaps in care
• Reduced manual abstraction and a smoother submission process

ACO leaders who have centralized their data platforms report 15% fewer reporting errors and stronger performance on chronic condition measures. In practice, this means not just meeting CMS requirements, but catching small trends like rising blood sugars or missed blood pressure checks before they escalate.

Empower Providers at the Point of Care Measures like CMS2 (Depression Screening and Follow-Up) or CMS125 (Breast Cancer Screening) depend heavily on provider workflows. If screenings aren’t documented accurately, or follow-up plans aren’t captured, performance rates suffer.

ACO leaders who embed prompts into the EHR and provide regular feedback reports see clear benefits with higher measure capture rates, earlier intervention for patients at risk of delayed diagnoses, and less retroactive chart-chasing at year-end, when data gaps are most costly.

Using this proactive approach has influenced double-digit gains in measure completion rates compared to peers who rely on retrospective reporting.

Align Incentives for Engagement In both MSSP and ACO REACH, quality reporting now directly influences financial outcomes. For example, ACO REACH applies equity adjustment scores that can shift quality performance up or down by as much as ten points.

When organizations link provider compensation or shared savings distribution to quality benchmarks like CMS165 (Blood Pressure Control) or CAHPS survey scores, the effects ripple through the network, fostering:

• Stronger engagement in meeting CMS thresholds
• Consistent focus on preventive care activities, not just reactive visits
• More alignment between frontline priorities and organizational reporting goals

This structure helps transform reporting from a compliance exercise into a driver of coordinated care and financial sustainability.

Put Patients and Communities at the Center Healthy aging depends on catching issues early - and that’s exactly what CMS measures are designed to do. Whether it’s screening for depression (CMS2), ensuring timely breast cancer screening (CMS125), or improving chronic condition management (CMS122 and CMS165), proactive outreach makes all the difference.

Organizations that invest in care navigation, patient reminders, and community partnerships see measurable outcomes through higher numerator rates across preventive measures. Programs like Chronic Care Management, Principal Care Management, or Advanced Primary Care Management (to name a few) naturally embed these care methods for organizations aiming to embrace value-based, patient-centric care. Through monthly check-ins that go beyond regularly scheduled office visits, patients gain access to a care team 24/7 - reminding them of critical screenings, how to properly take their medications, and empower them through their chronic care health journey.

Putting the community and patients at the center matters for several reasons, including reducing disparities among underserved populations and recording stronger performances on CAHPS surveys and equity-related scoring - a win-win for providers, patients, and generations to come.

Lead With Governance and Accountability Finally, no reporting strategy works without leadership. Assigning “measure champions”, for example, having a quality committee oversee HbA1c control (CMS122) or board-level accountability for CAHPS scores, ensures performance gaps are addressed early.

The effects are clear:

• Faster response times when measure definitions or benchmarks shift
• Clearer alignment between clinical goals and community health priorities
• Less scrambling during CMS submission windows

Potential Challenges to Look For

• Even with the right strategies, challenges remain:
• Data fragmentation across multiple EHRs
• Provider fatigue from reporting burdens
• Equity and patient-reported outcomes adding complexity
• Dual reporting under MSSP and MIPS for some clinicians
• Transition to digital quality measures becoming mandatory by 2026

Acknowledging these headwinds is the first step to addressing them with proactive planning.

Getting Ahead for 2026 The story of quality reporting is the story of healthy aging itself: prevention, alignment, and the power of working together. When ACOs approach reporting proactively, they don’t just meet CMS requirements but build stronger systems of care that help patients and communities thrive.

At Quantician, we believe ACOs and providers shouldn’t carry this burden alone. That’s why we make reporting for MSSP, ACO REACH, and MIPS simple, accurate, and actionable. Because when reporting works the way it should, it becomes more than a requirement; It becomes a driver of healthier patients, healthier practices, and healthier communities.

Learn how Quantician helps ACOs turn reporting into results.