New Collaboratives Getting Health Systems Ready for ACOs: Q&A With Blair Childs at Premier

Blair G. Childs, senior vice president for public policy at Premier Inc., explains how Premier's new accountable care collaboratives are helping health systems to get ready to launch accountable care organizations.

Question: Nineteen health systems are in Premier's Implementation Collaborative. What criteria have they met?

Blair Childs: These health systems are pretty much ready to begin implementing an ACO. They have executive sponsorship and participation, a payor partner is participating and the physician network has a sufficient population base, at least 5,000 lives. There is transparency and acceptance of common cost and quality metrics, such as QUEST or HEDIS. The system has population health data infrastructure through an EHR and is linked with the payor. Going forward, these systems must participate in work groups and meetings. They need to set up a legal entity that will function as an ACO contracting vehicle.

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/new-collaboratives-getting-health-systems-ready-for-acos-qaa-with-blair-childs-at-premier.html