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Informing the Next Generation of Accountable Care Organizations

Some of the biggest buzz in health reform lies in the potential that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have to help to reduce costs, improve care, and move away from fee-for-service to population-based payment.   But questions remain as to whether or not they will result in comprehensive delivery system and payment reform that is sustainable.

Joy Lewis, MSW, MPH, of the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, attended a July 13th convening in Washington D.C., hosted by the National Health Policy Forum, that highlighted some of the successes and challenges of early ACOs.

Kaiser Permanente has been supportive of this movement since the concept was first introduced in 2009.  While not technically an ACO, many elements of our care system – such as use of electronic health records, team-based care, and population management tools – ideally will be a part of ACOs.

Read the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy Observation describing Lewis’ highlights of the meeting, which include tactics for improving quality, increasing savings and overcoming the fee-for-service chassis.

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