Accountable Care Organizations play a critical role in advancing value-based care. But with that opportunity comes a complex web of reporting requirements, particularly under Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP). As CMS continues its transition toward digital quality measurement and population-based models, ACOs must be more strategic than ever in how they collect, report, and act on performance data.

Below marks what ACOs need to know to craft a sustainable and positive path forward.

What Are ACOs Required to Report? ACOs participating in MSSP are required to report quality performance measures annually through the Alternative Payment Model (APM) Performance Pathway (APP). This includes:

• 3 eCQM/MIPS CQMs (clinical quality measures): These are provider-submitted measures that evaluate how consistently an ACO delivers evidence-based care, especially in managing chronic conditions and preventive services. Examples include metrics like blood pressure control, diabetes management, and depression screening.
• CAHPS for MIPS survey: A patient experience survey administered by an approved vendor that gathers feedback on communication, access to care, shared decision-making, and overall satisfaction. The results play a significant role in the ACO’s quality score and help assess how patient-centered care delivery is.
• Administrative claims-based measures: These are calculated directly by CMS using Medicare claims data and require no additional action from the ACO. They typically assess outcomes such as hospital admission rates, avoidable utilization, and time patients spend at home versus in a healthcare facility - key indicators of coordinated, effective care.

Together, these components contribute to the ACO’s overall quality score, which influences whether the organization qualifies for shared savings. Missing data or failing to meet benchmarks can not only reduce potential savings but may result in penalties in future performance years.

As CMS transitions further into digital measurement and all-payer reporting, the burden on ACOs to maintain clean, complete, and timely data has never been higher.

Reporting Challenges ACOs Face In addition to understanding the requirements, it is just as crucial to understand the possible roadblocks regarding ACO reporting. Challenges like data aggregation, workflow disruption, measure mapping, and timeliness can pose bottlenecks and barriers that each require a plan of attack to ensure performance is not negatively affected in any way.

Data aggregation is one of the biggest challenges for ACOs, especially when pulling information from multiple EHR systems with different formats and standards. Without a unified data strategy, inconsistencies and gaps can undermine the accuracy of your quality submissions. A unified strategy is a way to combat workflow disruptions as well - reporting requirements often add administrative tasks to already overextended clinical teams. All of which causes care quality and provider satisfaction to suffer. As mentioned, measure mapping is another challenge that can cause delays or interruptions if not properly incorporated into strategies. Measure mapping requires precise alignment between clinical activities and CMS-defined quality measures, which can vary from year to year. Any misalignment or improper coding can lead to underreporting and missed opportunities to demonstrate true performance. Lastly, timeliness is just as critical as each challenge before. It is a critical aspect, yet coordinating data collection and validation across diverse practices takes significant effort and planning. A simple delay in one part of the ACO can derail the entire reporting process.

Together, these challenges can threaten both your quality score and your shared savings potential. But with the right tools and support, ACOs can overcome these hurdles and turn reporting into a strategic advantage.

Tips for Successful ACO Reporting To combat the challenges above, CMS suggests several strategies that can help ACOs create strategies that work best for their unique needs.

First, start early and run mock report trials. Waiting until Q4 can not only drum up unnecessary chaos but set an ACO up for an unsuccessful reporting effort. By running test reports and familiarizing teams of the process throughout the year, the opportunity to flag incomplete fields or inaccurate mappings is not missed.

Next, simplify data sources. Take the time to limit the number of EHRs or designate data leads at each practice. This step will standardize reporting formats, making the exchange of information, staying on the same page, and communication seamless going forward.

Focus on data completeness. For eCQMs/MIPS CQMs, CMS requires 70% completeness across all patients, not just Medicare beneficiaries. Ensuring the data is completed where necessary limits the opportunity to leave gaps in reporting.

Make CAHPS count. The patient experience survey carries significant weight. Preparing care teams to engage meaningfully with patients throughout the year (not just when the survey is sent) is critical.

Review benchmarks often. CMS updates measure benchmarks annually. Knowing where your ACO stands and adjusting workflows accordingly allows the ACO to stay competitive.

ACO reporting doesn’t have to be a scramble. With the right tools, processes, and partners in place, ACOs can hit every target, unlock shared savings, and focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, coordinated care.

How Quantician Can Help ACO reporting is high-stakes, but it doesn’t have to be high-stress. Quantician is a CMS-qualified registry built to simplify and strengthen your entire reporting process. From automated measure mapping that reduces manual burden to real-time dashboards that track your performance against CMS benchmarks, a Qualified Registry brings clarity to complexity. Dedicated tools flag gaps in data completeness, identify patients at risk of falling below thresholds, and provide timely alerts to keep an ACO on track. Meaning that when it’s time to submit, a compliance expert is focused on providing step-by-step guidance - ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and peace of mind. With Quantician, your ACO doesn’t just report better - it performs better.

Ready to simplify your ACO reporting? Contact Quantician today to learn how we support success from data to dollars.