ABSTRACT
This policy brief shares insights gained from site visits in 2013 to four Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) serving rural Medicare beneficiaries. Initial strategic decisions made and challenges faced as the ACOs were being developed can inform development of other rural ACOs. Key Findings. (1) The rural ACOs we studied were formed as a step toward a value-driven rural delivery system, recognizing that ACO participation may or may not have a short term return on investment. (2) Common rural ACO strategies to increase health care value include care management, post-acute care redesign, medication management, and end-of-life care planning. (3) Access to data is an important enabler of population health management, care management, and provider participation.
Subject(s)
Accountable Care Organizations/organization & administration , Patient Care Management/organization & administration , Rural Health Services/organization & administration , Access to Information , Advance Care Planning , Continuity of Patient Care , Humans , Medicare , Medication Therapy Management , United StatesABSTRACT
This Policy Brief presents characteristics contributing to the formation of four accountable care organizations (ACOs) that serve rural Medicare beneficiaries. Doing so provides considerations for provider organizations contemplating creating rural-based ACOs. Key Findings. (1) Previous organizational integration and risk-sharing experience facilitated ACO formation. (2) Use of an electronic health record system fostered core ACO capabilities, including care coordination and population health management. (3) Partnerships across the care continuum supported utilization of local health care resources.
