Home Health Care Delivery

Growth in Accountable Care Organizations Reflects Evolving Payment Models
East Lansing & Dearborn Groups among 89 New ACOs Nationwide

There’s no question that reimbursement models are evolving. An increased focus on coordination of care, outcomes, and efficiencies has resulted in a variety of incentive programs by payers and a de-emphasis on fee-for-service as a sustainable payment model. And because many of these payment models rely heavily on integrated systems of care, physicians are witnessing a notable increase in the number of Accountable Care Organizations across the country. ACOs are organizations formed by groups of doctors and other health care providers that have agreed to work together to coordinate care for people with Medicare.

Health & Human Services announced this week that, as of July 1, 89 new ACOs began serving 1.2 million people with Medicare in 40 states and Washington, DC. Among the new 89 ACOs were three from Michigan:

• Accountable Healthcare Alliance, PC, located in East Lansing, is comprised of networks of individual ACO practices, with 29 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in Michigan

• Oakwood Accountable Care Organization, LLC, located in Dearborn, is comprised of partnerships between hospitals and ACO professionals, with 1,546 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in Michigan

• Southeast Michigan Accountable Care, Inc., also located in Dearborn, is comprised of ACO group practices and networks of individual ACO practices, with 333 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in Michigan

The September/October issue of Michigan Medicine magazine will feature an article about ACOs and incentive programs, specifically geared for physicians who need practical information and advice on taking advantage of the emerging payment models.

Learn more about ACOs under the Medicare Shared Savings Program>>

For more information, contact Stacey Hettiger at MSMS at 517-336-5766 or shettiger@msms.org.