Peter B. Bach, MD, MAPP, Analyzes the Risks of the ACO and PCMH in the Oncology Practice

Peter B. Bach, MD, MAPP, director, Center for Health Policy and Outcomes, and attending physician, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, says there are a couple of challenges with the accountable care organization (ACO) and patient centered medical home (PCMH) care models. ACOs involve both complex, multi-specialty abd primary care delivery systems. For an ACO, managing intense areas of spending such as that in an oncology setting can be problematic. The PCMH, especially within the oncology practice, is easier to manage. “We’re certainly seeing with some of the models that they can achieve gains in terms of reduced hospitalization.”