business
AHIP study finds positive early results from ACOs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 26, 2011
A look at some of the first accountable care organizations found success in preventing patient hospital readmissions and total days spent in the hospital. Some reported annual savings of as much as $336 per patient.
The study by insurer trade group America's Health Insurance Plans was published in the September Health Affairs and based on interviews with medical directors and program staff working on ACOs for eight health plans (link).
The authors said a formal examination of the quality improvements and costs savings would help clarify what portion of the improvements seen at the pilot ACOs were directly attributable to the ACO model.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/26/bibf0926.htm.
