Kansas City Forms its First ACO

As part of the growing trend for cost-effective, quality, and collaborative care, several primary care practices have formed Kansas City's first ACO. Fox News reports:

A dozen primary care practices have formed Kansas City’s first ACO — accountable care organization. The federal government is giving them more than two million dollars upfront to provide Medicare patients with care that eliminates unnecessary testing and procedures, prevents errors and helps patients avoid hospital stays.

The incentive for the docs? They get to keep some of that money if they meet quality and patient satisfaction measures while lowering costs.

“If we’re able to generate savings to the system, then we share in that savings with Medicare,” says Dr. Nathan Granger of Clay Platte Family Medicine.

The focus is on people with complex medical issues. Mike Abbott, a Vietnam-era veteran, has complications of diabetes and also PTSD and depression.

“My problems started with little things. And if they can catch the little things, it won’t become a big thing,” says Mike.

A big, costly thing. The ACO sounds good to Mike.

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