‘Menu’ to help select organizations achieve coordinated care
WASHINGTON – Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced on Dec. 19 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.
The Pioneer ACO designation 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.” 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.
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.” Find the list of appointees at CMS.gov.
