With the knowledge that major changes in healthcare are hovering just over horizon, one of the “fixes” to what is “broken” in our current system is the prospect of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)—organizations of providers that can potentially improve the way medicine is practiced and reduce costs.

In an effort to stay abreast of the healthcare changes, Orchard Software has put together some information to share on ACOs, including what they are and how they may impact the laboratory. There are five parts with the first three being ACOs 101, Measures and Meaningful Use, and Three Types of Accountable Care Organizations. Each part has its own focus and by the end of the series the reader will have a foundation for constructive conversation about ACOs.

The first part is called ACOs 101 due to its focus on the basics of ACOs. After reading this post, a reader should under- stand what an ACO is by definition and the three core principles that define all ACOs. The post also gives a history of how of the ACO movement started. Finally, ACOs 101 shares the requirements to become an ACO and what processes an ACO must define.

In the second part, Measures and Meaningful Use, the post introduces the 33 measures in the Final Rule on ACOs published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The post gives several examples of the four domains, which are patient experience, care coordination, preventive health, and at-risk population/chronic care. The post also shares how the ACO movement and Meaningful Use measures overlap.

In the third post regarding The Three Types of ACOs, the three models of ACOs are highlighted, which are the Medicare Shared Savings Program, Advance Payment Model, and Pioneer ACOs. Each model has its own benefits and advantages depending on a facility’s risk desire and immediate participation in the ACO movement.

This post was also released on the day that the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. With this ruling, many of the ACO initiatives remain unchanged.

Check out the full blog at http://www.orchardsoft.com/blog and stay up to date on my issues impacting the laboratory industry.