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HPC updates ACO certification standards, raises health equity expectations for 2026 cycle
Summary
HPC staff previewed updates to the accountable care organization certification cycle, including streamlined assessment questions, stronger data stratification and reporting expectations on health equity, and a September–October application timeline for certifications effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Health Policy Commission staff outlined refinements to the ACO certification standards for the 2026 cycle, emphasizing learning, equity and patient experience and previewing a September application portal opening and an October 1 application deadline.
Deputy director Mike Stanick said the program now covers 17 certified ACOs that collectively hold about 90 risk contracts and serve more than three million lives. Courtney Anderson previewed application changes that streamline the performance improvement culture questions, reframe patient‑centered care as ongoing patient experience monitoring, and rebrand the data criterion to emphasize high‑value care information flow to providers.
Staff said the health equity requirement will remain reporting‑only this cycle but with higher expectations for data stratification, meaningful engagement of affected patients, and integration of equity goals into ACO strategic plans and operations. Staff noted this is the third cycle with equity reporting and that the goal is to incrementally increase sophistication so future cycles can move from reporting to required equity interventions.
Courtney reviewed supplemental information topics that will be collected (health equity practices, high‑value care strategies to reduce low‑value utilization, and shared savings distribution and provider compensation structures) and reiterated supports for applicants including webinars, office hours and a user guide. Staff said certification decisions will be communicated by year end and new certifications will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
