Accountable care organizations may be effective without hospital partnerships, according to an American Medical News report.
WellMed Medical Management in San Antonio developed a primary-care based ACO without a hospital partner, according to a case study published in The Journal of Ambulatory Care Management and highlighted in the AMN report. WellMed's ACO is comprised of a health plan and 21 clinics and has improved patient outcomes.
While WellMed's primary-care ACO has been deemed successful, officials in the report still point to the capital requirements of the model, such as health information technology systems. Experts say many primary care medical practices do not have the capital for these programs and may need hospitals for help, according to the report.
The report mentions other barriers to physician-led ACOs, such as fights over savings, determining whether certain procedures are necessary and organizing enough physicians.
Read the American Medical News report on physician-led ACOs.
Read more about ACOs and hospitals:
- 12 ACO Developments Between Hospitals, Payors and Health Systems
- 12 Steps to Create a Successful ACO From a Medical Group's Perspective
- 5 Errors That Can Cripple an ACO
WellMed Medical Management in San Antonio developed a primary-care based ACO without a hospital partner, according to a case study published in The Journal of Ambulatory Care Management and highlighted in the AMN report. WellMed's ACO is comprised of a health plan and 21 clinics and has improved patient outcomes.
While WellMed's primary-care ACO has been deemed successful, officials in the report still point to the capital requirements of the model, such as health information technology systems. Experts say many primary care medical practices do not have the capital for these programs and may need hospitals for help, according to the report.
The report mentions other barriers to physician-led ACOs, such as fights over savings, determining whether certain procedures are necessary and organizing enough physicians.
Read the American Medical News report on physician-led ACOs.
Read more about ACOs and hospitals:
- 12 ACO Developments Between Hospitals, Payors and Health Systems
- 12 Steps to Create a Successful ACO From a Medical Group's Perspective
- 5 Errors That Can Cripple an ACO