MANAGED CARE May 2011. ©MediMedia USA
A month-long pilot test for accountable care organizations (ACOs) did reasonably well in demonstrating an ability to collect and submit information for the program, reports the program’s sponsor, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Ten health care organizations took part. Its purpose was to help the NCQA develop ACO standards designed to improve the probability that these new entities can achieve improvements in quality and value.
ACOs are provider-based organizations that take responsibility for meeting the health care needs of a defined population with the goal of simultaneously improving health, improving patient experience, and reducing per capita costs.
They gained prominence with the passage of the Affordable Care Act.
NCQA reports that it will use feedback from the pilot test to revise preliminary standards before it issues final ACO accreditation standards in July.
The 10 health care organizations that participated in the pilot program were integrated delivery systems, independent practice associations, and multispecialty group practices.