The Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Certification Program
Accelerating care delivery transformation and promoting a high quality, efficient health system.
See publications and presentations related to the ACO certification program.
The purpose of the HPC's ACO certification program is to complement existing local and national care transformation and payment reform efforts, encourage value-based care delivery, and promote investments by all payers in high-quality and cost-effective care across the continuum.
Since its inception in 2017, the ACO Certification program has established all-payer standards for ACO care delivery and provided transparent information to the public on ACO structures and operations. For the most recent certification cycle, the HPC certified sixteen ACOs that collectively represent 3.0 million attributed commercial, Medicare, and MassHealth patients in the Commonwealth. Certification is effective for a term of two years. Questions about the ACO Certification program may be sent to [email protected].
Each certification cycle is a rich source of information, profiles, briefs, and webinars that provide valuable insights into how ACOs are structured and operating in the Commonwealth. Those resources – as well as lists of all ACOs certified during the period – are available via a link to the relevant certification cycle.
Since the certification program launched, the HPC has offered complementary programs, technical assistance, and events for certified ACOs. Learn more about other ACO initiatives.

The HPC ACO Certification Program through the years.
The HPC updated its ACO Certification standards for certifications effective beginning in 2022. This first significant update to the certification standards since the ACO Certification program’s inception is known as ACO LEAP 2022-23, reflecting its emphasis on learning, equity, and patient-centeredness.
Resources for the 2024-2025 Certification Cycle
2024-2025 Application Requirements and Platform User Guide (PUG)
PUG – Population Health Management Programs and Targets Template
PUG – Behavioral Health Integration Process and Targets Template
2024-2025 (Active)
ACO Learning, Equity, and Patient-Centeredness (LEAP)
2022-2023
ACO Learning, Equity, and Patient-Centeredness (LEAP)
2019-2020
ACO Policy Briefs: Transforming Care
2017-2018
ACO Policy Briefs: Transforming Care
- Policy Brief #1: An Introduction to Accountable Care Organizations in Massachusetts
- Policy Brief #2: How ACOs in Massachusetts Manage Population Health