Medicare ACOs Growing Faster than Non-Medicare ACOs

Medicare accountable care organizations outnumber non-Medicare ACO contracts and make up more than half of the 488 ACOs nationwide, according to an August 2013 update from Leavitt Partners, a healthcare consultancy that follows ACO development.

The report, Growth and Dispersion of Accountable Care Organizations: August 2013 Update, reveals three significant findings:

1. The number of accountable care entities is increasing. Since the healthcare reform law passed three years ago, 488 ACOs have formed--and more than doubled since June 2012.
2. Medicare ACOs are growing faster than non-Medicare ACOs and make up more than half of all accountable care contracts nationwide.
3. No single model has emerged as most successful and as accountable care expands, the agency expects to continue to see variety in models and execution.

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Source: Fierce Healthcare

These ACOs are transforming the way healthcare is delivered but many of the estimated 27 million people in ACOs aren't even aware they are in one, according to U.S. News & World Report. However, they do notice their physicians and other care providers are more attentive to their needs, the article stated, a result of the Affordable Care Act, which is forcing healthcare professionals to provide more coordinated, high-quality care at lower costs.