For Physicians
Our future is value-based care
Health Value Equation
Since the early 2000s, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily shifted from a model based on care quantity to one focused on care quality and value.
The ultimate goal of a value-based system is to combine higher-quality, more efficient care with a positive experience that supports a healthier patient population and a cost-effective and sustainable healthcare future.
To reach this goal, CMS aims to serve all Medicare and most Medicaid beneficiaries through accountable care programs by 2030, enabling the agency to promote health equity through value-based initiatives.
Why join an ACO?
Today's value-based care (VBC) environment demands extensive organizational resources and expertise, straining even large healthcare organizations. Independent healthcare providers of all sizes can not only survive but thrive within this complex system by joining an accountable care organization (ACO) to:
Improve care coordination and patient experience
Enhance clinical outcomes and improve care efficiencies
Increase collaborative treatment and control costs
Share experience and resources while mitigating risk
The Medicare Shared Savings Program, introduced by CMS in 2012 to support its Quadruple Aim, offers one of the more stable and advantageous ACO structures.
Joining a Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACO comes with additional benefits for providers, who can preserve their independence while:
Retaining existing fee-for-service revenue
Earning additional income through shared savings and other value-based care incentives
Why join Sound Long-Term Care Management?
Sound Long-Term Care Management (SLTCM) is a national MSSP ACO built for Medicare patients in long-term care (LTC) and assisted living facilities (ALF). As a practice partner, no other ACO in the post-acute market comes close to our experience and insight into patient, provider, and facility needs.
Our unique value for provider partners
Laser-focused
We focus exclusively on LTC and ALF, not short-stay, wound care, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, or other arenas, empowering us to improve outcomes for patients, caregivers, and providers.
Better benchmarks
Our benchmark only includes LTC patients, leveling the shared savings playing field vs. other ACOs with a large mix of community-based patients who generally have lower, or better, benchmarks.
Generous compensation
Our competitive savings split maximizes revenue for partner providers, and unlike other ACOs, we share savings with facility partners as well.
Quality managed
We report quality metrics on behalf of our partner providers, reducing workload and errors and optimizing returns.
Data unlocked
We provide fully-profiled, actionable data to all partners, guiding measurable quality, service, and revenue improvements.
Tools included
We furnish custom, EMR-agnostic programs, tools, and resources to all provider and facility partners at no cost.
Barriers cleared
We remove barriers to care by making our proprietary telemedicine platform available not only to aligned beneficiaries but also to all patients during their stay at our partner facilities.
Future-proofed
We work to foster a strong, stable healthcare system that supports patients and providers in the long term by investing wisely in our people, partners, and technology.
Risk managed
We cover all ACO downside risk, so as a partner provider, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Frequently asked questions
How does the ACO increase my revenue?
Because SLTCM qualifies as an advanced alternative payment model (AAPM), participating providers may receive a 0.75% increase in their Medicare Fee Schedule payments starting 2026 and beyond.
Is there a downside risk to participating physicians?
No. SLTCM assumes all financial downside risk. While we fully expect the ACO to meet all quality and performance targets, participating providers are completely shielded from all downside risk in our program.
Is there a fee to join SLTCM?
No. No fee or investment is required from participating providers or facilities.
Can I opt out if I change my mind?
Yes. Participants can opt out of participation after signing up for 2026 no later than Sept. 5, 2025. Throughout the 2026 performance year, providers can resign from the ACO for the next performance year.
Is SLTCM physician-led?
Yes! Sound was founded by physicians in 2001 and remains physician-led and patient-centered while employing advanced practice providers, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and nurses alongside our physicians.
Let’s succeed together
If you’d like to learn more about — or participate in — our collaborative partnerships, please click the link below.
Partnership inquiry