July 30, 2010

Thinking Ahead

Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President and CEO

At last week's Leadership Summit, there were a number of conversations about Accountable Care Organizations. Today, ACOs are more sizzle than steak, but that's changing as the specs to form ACOs are taking shape. Each hospital and provider will have to determine whether an ACO is a good fit and, if so, how to pursue one. Taking a broader view, the current ACO concept is a continuation of ongoing delivery system reform, moving toward a system that is better integrated, more accountable, with payments more at-risk. The ACO concept in health reform reinforces that trend by providing Medicare payment incentives to improve collaboration and quality, decrease duplication and increase efficiencies. Ultimately, as ACOs grow, the hope is that many of the lessons learned will become our best practices to improve efficiency and increase quality. To help with grounding and context, take a look at the AHA/HRET's Accountable Care Organizations: An AHA Synthesis Report.

Thanks,

Question or Comments?
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