Half of Docs Unprepared for More Financial Risk with ACOs

Echoing results from a recent survey of Massachusetts physicians, doctors nationwide appear to be leery of forming or joining an accountable care organization (ACO), according to a new report from the Optum Institute for Sustainable Health.

According to Optum's October survey of 1,000 physicians, 61 percent of physicians overall were familiar with the concept of ACOs, although more primary care physicians (PCP) (64 percent) were acquainted with the idea than specialists (59 percent). Among doctors who said they knew what ACOs were about, 28 percent overall said they were considering forming or joining one. And in the Bay State, specifically, PCPs (64 percent) were more receptive to ACOs than specialists (59 percent).

The Optum Institute, part of UnitedHealth Group, gathered these results within the first 10 days after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final rule for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, American Medical News reports.

Read more at: http://www.fiercepracticemanagement.com/story/half-docs-unprepared-acos-more-financial-risk/2011-12-07?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Source: Fierce Practice Management