Complimentary from the publisher

Complimentary from the publishers of Accountable Care News August, 2014

“Both the MSSP and ACO Pioneer models were able to generate savings that were shared between the Medicare Trust Fund and the participating ACOs. As they continue to show value, financially and in terms of improving quality, the movement toward population health and accountable care will continue to grow. In fact, the increase in ACOs over the past few years has been incredible, and there are numerous markets where multiple ACOs are in operation. This further drives competition, and it results in the cost decreases and quality increases identified in the early CMS population health programs. With the addition of Medicaid and private sector ACOs, I think we will continue to see a very competitive environment." Wes Champion, Senior Vice President, Premier Consulting Solutions.

Last month Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross...announced initial results from its ACO initiatives. The plan reported that half the hospitals reduced medical costs; 90% reduced their readmission rates, with an average of 16%; all of the health systems improved at least one hospital-acquired infection measure; and nearly all participants scored better in measures that assess patients' experience during their hospital stay.

Excerpted from: Accountable Care News, Volume 5 Number 8, August 2014, Industry News: "Independence Blue Cross Announces ACO Results"

100 accountable care organizations to know | 2014
Becker's Hospital Review, August 13, 2014

After One Year, Physician-run ACO Scores Big Savings Bonus
American Academy of Family Physicians/AAFP News, August 11, 2014

90% of WI patients may receive accountable care with new pact
EHR Intelligence, August 7, 2014

The Payment Reform Landscape: Accountable Care Organizations
Health Affairs Blog, August 5, 2014

ACOs Make Inroads With Employers
Health Insurance Exchange/Employee Benefit News, July 30, 2014

How one ACO gets results
Healthcare IT News, July 22, 2014

Integrating Home Health and Primary Care to Create the Care Model of the Future by Kathleen Gardner
ACOs and the HR Department by Thomas P. Merrill
Editor’s Corner: Stephen Ubl on New Payment Models
How to Best Manage Post-Acute Care Expenditures: Strategic Networks Can Improve Patient Care and Curb Costs by Michelle Templin
Thought Leader’s Corner: “What are the challenges you have experienced or seen in working with the potential partners in the ACO’s 'medical neighborhood' -- home
health, post-acute, hospice, urgent care, retail pharmacy, etc.?”
Industry News with briefs regarding Parks Associates; Montefiore Medical Center and UnitedHealthcare; Aledade; ThedaCare; Academic Medicine; Independence Blue Cross; Rutgers University Center for State Health Policy; Deloitte; Smith & Jones; The Jefferson School of Population Health (JSPH); St. Joseph Hoag Health system and CHOC Children’s hospital; Cigna and Northeast Medical Group; the JAMA Network; The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC); Health Affairs; and Humana and Tenet Healthcare Corp.
Catching Up with …. Thomas H. Kloos, MD

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