Discussion Topic 1: Accountable Care Organizations Improve Quality of Care
How can the formation of Accountable Care Organizations improve quality of care and make providers more responsible for cost of care? Give an example of a study that has addressed coordination of care and has had documented success. Describe the study and its implications for care.
At least 200 words, 3 APA references
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are a type of healthcare delivery model that rewards healthcare providers for providing high-quality and cost-effective care. ACOs improve the coordination of care and make providers more responsible for the cost of care. In this discussion, we will explore how ACOs improve the quality of care and also consider an example of a study that has addressed the coordination of care and has documented success.
Answer:
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are making providers more responsible for the cost and quality of care by reducing unnecessary medical tests, procedures, and hospital admissions. ACOs are a group of healthcare providers who collectively coordinate the care of a defined population to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. To achieve this goal, ACOs use a payment model that rewards providers for delivering high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered care.
ACOs can improve the quality of care in several ways. First, ACO providers use health information technology (HIT) to share patients’ medical records, which enables a holistic approach to care. HIT also allows providers to identify patients who require intensive interventions that can prevent costly hospitalizations or readmissions. Second, ACO providers collaborate across different settings and levels of care to ensure timely and appropriate care. For instance, primary care physicians can coordinate referrals to specialists as needed in ACOs. Third, ACOs encourage patient engagement in their care, which leads to better self-management of chronic illnesses and better health outcomes.
One study that has documented the success of ACOs is the Medicare Shared Saving Program ACOs study. The study evaluated 220 Medicare Shared Saving Program ACOs from 2013-2016 and found that ACOs reduced the overall growth rate of Medicare spending by $1.8 billion, compared to the baseline projection of fee-for-service growth. The study also found that ACOs reduced the number of hospital admissions and readmissions, and improved preventive care services such as screening mammograms and well-child visits. These results highlight the effectiveness of ACOs in improving the quality of care and reducing healthcare costs.
Conclusion:
Overall, the formation of accountable care organizations can improve the quality of care and make providers more responsible for the cost of care. ACOs use various strategies to promote high-quality and cost-effective care such as the use of HIT, care coordination, and patient engagement. The Medicare Shared Saving Program ACOs study shows that ACOs can effectively manage healthcare costs and improve the quality of care.
