ACOs May Be Effective Without Hospital Involvement

As the healthcare industry awaits regulations on accountable care organizations, study findings suggest ACOs may be able to achieve desired healthcare outcomes and savings without a hospital partner, according to research published in the Journal of Ambulatory Care Management.

Researchers reported a case study of a primary care practice-based ACO called WellMed, based in San Antonio, Texas. In a 20-year time span, researchers found WellMed effectively reduced the adjusted mortality rate down to 50 percent of the state average mortality rate for patients over 65 years. Further, rates of preventive services increased substantially. Colorectal cancer screening increased from 11 percent in 2000 to 50 percent of patients in 2008.

However, authors added WellMed's rates of hospitalization, readmission and ED visits did not change significantly during this time period.

Read the study about primary care-based ACOs.

Read other coverage about ACOs:

- ACO Rules to Run Over 1,000 Pages, Allow Broad Implementation

- 5 Opportunities for Physicians and Hospitals to Realign in Preparation for ACOs

- Massachusetts Governor Proposes ACOs to Contain Costs

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