The belief that integrated delivery systems offer better care at lower cost has contributed to
growing interest in accountable care organizations. These provider-led delivery systems …

Background: Implementation of accountable care organizations (ACOs) is currently
underway, but there is limited empirical evidence on the merits of the ACO model. Purpose …

Accountable care organizations are intended to improve the quality and lower the cost of
health care through several mechanisms, such as disease management programs, care …

The 1990s is recognized as the era of accountability in health care. This increased
accountability translates into care provided by physicians being measured by themselves …

Objectives Accountable care organizations were implemented as a system-level approach
to address quality differences and curb increasing healthcare costs in the United States of …

The Affordable Care Act encourages the formation of accountable care organizations as a
new part of Medicare. Pending forthcoming federal regulations, though, it is unclear …

Policy makers in several industrial countries are seeking to limit the rise in health care cost
growth by supporting coordinated or integrated care programs, which differ from most …

Importance The Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) programs rely on delivery
system integration and health care provider risk sharing to lower spending while improving …

BACKGROUND The term “ACO” originally was coined by researchers and policy experts to
describe entities that consist of integrated providers that are jointly held accountable for …

Importance Hospitals are rapidly acquiring medical groups and physician practices. This
consolidation may foster cooperation and thereby reduce expenditures, but also may lead to …