Hospitals and physician-groups in several markets are exploring accountable care organizations, and many are choosing to participate. As a result, surgery centers are assessing whether they should join or if it would make more sense to go in a different direction.
Accountable care organizations are complicated, but the ins and outs of the care model have been discussed long enough. Healthcare organizations are now at a point where they have to focus on specific areas of ACOs to reduce cost and benefit patients say two healthcare consultants.
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are complicated, but the ins and outs of the care model have been discussed long enough. Healthcare organizations are now at a point where they have to focus on specific areas of ACOs to reduce cost and benefit patients, say two healthcare consultants. – See more at: http://www.medicalpracticeinsider.com/best-practices/patient-care/how-patients-stand-benefit-acos-wallet-and-wellness#sthash.XCBPYNfk.dpuf
Many accountable care organizations have formed across the nation in the past year. Though the ACO model is still developing, one thing is certain: Organizations need to be prepared financially for the new healthcare delivery model. Hospital and health system CFOs need to be heavily involved in the ACO formation process in order for the new organization to be successful in reaching the lowered cost aim for which all ACOs strive.
Relationships between healthcare organizations and physicians are a growing trend within the industry as more doctors become employees of hospitals. Building healthy working relationships between the two factions is important, says David Ebel, who retired from the Mayo Clinic in 2006 after having spent 19 years in finance and 10 as CFO. “In the past it was easy: Doctors knew how to practice medicine, admins knew how to run a hospital. But they aren’t two separate things. The two groups need to come together to work towards making changes for ACO, Medicare, readmissions and reducing cost from the system,” said Ebel. “Besides, I’d rather have a physician decide where we can economize in the care that we receive more than an admin!”