Book Excerpt: Are You Ready for an ACO Environment?

Who are the appropriate players and leaders?
When forming an ACO, start by assessing the appropriate players:

• Your leadership
  • What is his or her vision?
  • Does he or she have the ability to successfully grasp all aspects of the ACO requirements and lead the group in this endeavor?
  • Does your leadership have the ability to create a team environment of full collaboration?

• Does the participating hospital have the ability to:
  • Deliver high-quality patient care?
  • Contain costs?
  • Be patient centered?
  • Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers?
• For physicians
  • Do they have the ability to work with competitors and become team members?
  • Do they have a reputation for delivering high-quality patient care?
  • Do they have the ability to control costs?
  • Can they be patient focused?
• Other providers
  • Do they have the ability to control costs?
  • Do they have a reputation for high-quality patient care?
  • Can they work together to be patient centered?