You’re right to have questions about Accountable Care Organizations.
You’re right to have questions about Accountable Care Organizations.
The ACO deadline is right around the corner on August 1. Don't pick the wrong partner. Make sure to ask ACOs you're considering the following questions. And make sure to talk to Wellvana before the 2025 deadline.
The ACO deadline is right around the corner on August 1. Don't pick the wrong partner. Make sure to ask ACOs you're considering the following questions. And make sure to talk to Wellvana before the 2025 deadline.
The ACO Deadline is August 1. Talk to Wellvana before making a decision.
The ACO Deadline is August 1. Talk to Wellvana before making a decision.
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So, what is an ACO?
A History of Mixed Results
The Affordable Care Act brought about the concept of ACOs more than a decade ago almost as an experiment. At this point, roughly half of all providers are participating in one. But the results have been uneven. ACOs started as a way for local physicians to work together and drive down the cost of care through improved coordination. Turns out, it takes some knowhow to run an effective ACO.
The Current Landscape
There are now more than 700 ACOs across the U.S. They were created to help physicians work together and create the scale required to venture into value-based care. But not all are focused on helping independent physicians generate shared savings and grow their practices. Some were made to lock providers into a health system’s network of specialists and facilities. Others were designed to sell third-party products to a captive audience.
It can be difficult to know how to pick the right ACO. The below questions should help you make a confident decision.
The Big Question
What’s my financial risk?
Understand the payment models, incentives, and potential financial risks. Is the ACO participating in partial or full-risk contracts? And do you assume any downside risk? Many ACOs promise big numbers then charge hidden fees or require you to shoulder substantial risk. Make sure you understand your financial obligations from the get-go.
Don’t join an ACO without also asking these questions.
Who else is in the ACO network?
You may not be working side-by-side with many of these doctors. But they are your partners. Some ACOs blend high performers and low performers. You shouldn’t have to deal with doctors who aren’t pulling their weight. Ask if you can talk to some existing ACO members first.
How good is your data?
ACOs require data to perform. But data is only as powerful as the accompanying analysis and plan. Is the ACO’s data and technology compatible with your EMR or will you have to log in to a separate platform to connect the dots yourself? How will you know what to do with the data? You’re in charge of care, but a monthly data dump with no context won’t cut it.
How do I get paid?
It’s difficult to wait months and months to see how the shared savings shake out. How will your ACO ensure that your practice remains financially successful during the lean months?
Who is going to help me?
You need names. If an ACO is just going to hand you technology and data – leaving the rest to you – beware. You need assistance with clinical documentation to capture the condition of your patients accurately, coordinating care (like scheduling Annual Wellness Visits) and managing complex patients.
You’re too busy to succeed at value-based care all alone.
See how your practice could perform as a part of Wellvana's ACO.
See how your practice could perform as a part of Wellvana's ACO.
Wellvana has answers ...
...and a REACH ACO that achieved a savings rate 156% better than the average REACH ACO.
Here's how we make our ACO members successful.
We’re a partner AND a tech platform. Our EHR overlay, Clarity™, delivers patient insights directly on top of your EHR, and our team helps you act on it. You will have Wellvana’s experienced nurses, care coordinators, and clinical documentation team supporting your patients every day to help ensure positive outcomes.
We back your path to full-risk. The way to win in value-based care is with full-risk programs such as ACO REACH. It may take time to get you there. But if you’re not quite ready, we’ll put you in the appropriate program to get you there as fast as possible.
Wellvana shoulders the upfront financial cost. You can’t flip a switch. It takes capital and people power to make value-based care successful. We provide both. And we don’t make money unless you do.
Your most complex patients get an extra layer of foundational care. Value-based care is really what happens between appointments. We connect the dots and support your patients on all the days when they’re not in your clinic. Patients receiving ongoing care from our team see 22% fewer hospitalizations with a 16% decrease in medical spend. And this care is all administered as your practice, not as Wellvana.
You get steady payments from Wellvana throughout the entire year. No more waiting on checks from CMS. We got you, and you’ll benefit from being able to better manage your cash flow.
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