Dr Joseph Gifford Addresses the Challenges of Managing Multiple ACO Models

With various accountable care organization (ACO) models that cover a wide range of health coverage plans, Joseph Gifford, MD, chief executive of the Providence-Swedish Health Alliance, said that the challenge in managing these models is creating a common framework for each market to follow.

Dr Gifford explained that centralized IT and reporting, analytic and finance functions will allow members from all ACO markets to work from of the same template. He added that because each ACO is grounded in their own local environment, placing employees in the markets grants better opportunities for success.

“Creating the right model that is a federated model of coordinated, value-based care across 5 states representing and respecting every local territory—that’s the art of what we do and I won't say we’re there yet,” Dr Gifford said. “It’s going to be a voyage to really get this done right and at scale.”