Are ACOs Accountable?
A new study showed that:
Only 28% of ACOs formed in 2012 have taken on downside risk, while just 33% had at least one contract with downside risk in 2018, according to a new study published in Health Affairs.
So, correct me if I am wrong but if 72% of these Accountable Care Organizations take no downside risk then are they really accountable?
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By allowing ACO physicians to join without downside is just the usual tactic of boiling physician frogs by starting in cold water and then cranking up the heat. When will we ever learn?
Also their definition of “accountable” is not mine. They want financial accountability (less duplication of tests etc). These issues are no brainers which go away when you stop fragmenting care and give physicians time they need with patients to search out previous test results.
The real accountability comes from having a personal physician who has your back, who provides easy access, attention, time, and tries to save you money on prescriptions and labs/xrays. Just like you find in Direct Primary Care. CMS is barking up the wrong tree, again, and trying to rape doctors in the process.