As the accountable care model begins to catch on, more patients are receiving care in these organizations. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population lives in an area served by an ACO, according to research from consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
Analyzing data from HHS' latest announced class of Medicare ACOs and some independent research, Oliver Wyman highlighted the following updates on the ACO space.
- As of January, there are 585 total ACOs, CMS and non-CMS, in the U.S.
- Between 15 and 17 percent of the population is served by these ACOs, or between 49 and 56 million patients.
- There are now 426 Medicare ACOs, up from 368 in 2014.
- 11 percent of Medicare beneficiaries now receive care in an ACO, up from 10 percent in 2014.
- Likely due to increased participation of smaller ACOs, the number of ACOs grew faster than the number of patients who receive care in ACOs.
- 6 percent of non-Medicare patients are also served by ACOs in CMS programs.
- Non-CMS ACOs, which Oliver Wyman considers as organizations that have shared-savings arrangements with a payer that is not CMS, total 159, up only slightly from 154 in 2014, based on the firm's independent tally. Oliver Wyman notes that this tally may be imperfect as no official list exists for these organizations.
More articles on accountable care:
3 ways to equip physicians to lead ACOs
Palm Vascular Centers to join ACO
First year of Pioneer Program shows reduction in Medicare spending