UMMS Affiliation

Commonwealth Medicine, Center for Health Law and Economics

Publication Date

2013-10-01

Document Type

Technical Report

Disciplines

Health Economics | Health Law and Policy | Health Policy | Health Services Administration | Health Services Research

Abstract

Over the past few years, Oregon and Massachusetts both established accountable care programs to help improve health care quality and reduce costs. However, some analysts remain skeptical regarding the ability of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) or other accountable care entities to rein in costs. Oregon and Massachusetts provide a laboratory for evaluating whether ACOs deliver the outcomes desired, which is especially important as millions of Americans gain access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) next year. This analysis examines each state’s approach.

As the nation grapples with health care policy challenges, accountable care emerged as a possible tool to give providers more responsibility for health care quality and cost. In ACOs, groups of providers come together to give coordinated, high quality care to their patient population. ACO participating providers may be paid in a variety of different ways, including fee-for-service, global payments, quality incentives, and shared savings.

This is a member briefing, American Health Lawyers Association, Accountable Care Organization Task Force.

Keywords

Oregon, Massachusetts, health care reform

Rights and Permissions

Copyright 2013, American Health Lawyers Association, Washington, DC. Reprint permission granted.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Commonwealth Medicine Publications

Comments

Client/Partner: American Health Lawyers' Association

Download

Share

COinS