Program Description

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has announced that 32 healthcare organizations, including five in Massachusetts, will be the first to pioneer a new payment and healthcare delivery model called "accountable care." In this model, so-called accountable care organizations or ACOs will share a part of any savings or loss against projected Medicare spending as long as they meet certain quality standards. Some wonder if this new ACO model will limit patients' choice of providers and if some providers might withhold care to stay under budget. How will patients be assured that they are receiving the best possible care? How will the patient experience be affected, and will accountable care strengthen or weaken the patient-caregiver relationship?