WASHINGTON – Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Monday the 32 health organizations that will take part in the Pioneer ACO initiative, striving for more coordinated care that could save up to $1.1 billion over five years.

[See also: Providers, payers still unsure about ACO participation .]

The Pioneer ACO designation, of course, is just one of what HHS calls “a menu of options for providers looking to better coordinate care for patients and use healthcare dollars more wisely,” in its statement announcing the appointees.

Pioneers are required to engage other payers, abide by strict beneficiary protections, and the program includes physician-led health systems, urban and rural organizations, among others. HHS explained that the Pioneer ACOs span 18 states and will improve care for as many as 860,000 Medicare beneficiaries – with the first performance period beginning January 1, 2012.

[See also: ACOs and meaningful use to go hand in hand.]

“We know that health care providers are at different stages in their work to improve care and reduce costs,” said Marilyn Tavenner, acting administrator of CMS. “That’s why we’ve developed a menu of options for Medicare to meet doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers where they are, and begin the conversation of how to enhance the care they are offering to people with Medicare.”

For a list of the 32 Pioneer ACO participants, see the next page.