5 Secrets to ACO Success

5. Knowledge of True Costs
 "I'm always surprised by organizations that don't know what it costs for them to provide care to their members. That will be fundamental for an ACO," said Jon Blum, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicare at CMS. To help, Medicare will be sharing its Part A, B and D claims data with organizations selected for the ACO program to help them develop a more accurate look at their true costs.

Blum said cost data is key to developing care models that will really reduce healthcare costs. He added that no one wants to see ACOs reduce costs by skimping on care or endangering the financial stability of the ACO itself.

See Also:
2 ACO Experts, 2 Viewpoints, Too Much to Know
Risk and the ACO
Impact Analysis: Leaders Respond to Proposed ACO Regs
Intelligence Report: The Leap to ACOs
Breakthroughs: The Bridge to ACOs
The Physician's Place in the ACO