
More Than Half of Physician Groups Resist ACOs
Currently, more than 600 accountable care organizations (ACOs) have been established throughout the United States. However, a recent study finds that more than half of physician groups remain hesitant to join an ACO.
Currently, more than 600 accountable care organizations (ACOs) have been established throughout the United States. These healthcare models promise to incentivize value-based care by awarding or penalizing hospitals and physicians based on their ability to meet cost and quality benchmarks. A rise in health information technology (HIT) and a focus on population health management has made ACOs the ideal model for improving the quality of patient care and outcomes.
Still, a
“Early formative evaluations of pilot sites highlight the challenges of building capabilities in EHR functionality, predictive analytics, data-collection reporting and analysis, care management, physician and patient engagement, and the key roles played by culture and leadership,” the authors said.
The authors say that in addition to the uncertainty about the financial investments required for accountable care, many of these institutions also worry how it may affect their practices and hospital admissions.
Robert Cirincione, MD, chief medical officer, TriState Health Partners (THP),
“There was very little ‘sell’ that had to be done. We went to our physicians who were already part of THP and presented them with the various contracts,” Dr Cirincione said. “From the physician’s standpoint, it is: what does it cost to join (nothing); what is the downside risk (none); what do you want me to do (practice more efficient and patient-based medical care and achieve increased outcomes)?”
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