Great animation poking fun at Hospital Executives that have yet to learn about ACOs!

A must view to understand the level of insight around ACOs by Healthcare Executives!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF8bK7AJyL0

19 Health Systems to Participate in AMGA Collaborative on Developing Accountable Care Organizations

5 Million Patients to Benefit from Improved Quality and Efficiency

Newswise — The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) today announced 19 leading medical groups and organized systems of care that will be participating in its ACO Development Collaborative, scheduled to have its first meeting in conjunction with the AMGA National Summit on Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). These organizations represent more than 10,500 providers serving approximately 5 million patients in the United States.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/19-health-systems-to-participate-in-amga-collaborative-on-developing-accountable-care-organizations

Washington Post: Debate over whether big health systems help cut costs

In Roanoke, Va., one company owns the city's two hospitals and six others in a region of 250,000 residents, commanding the area's largest economic engine and a workforce that includes 550 doctors, The Washington Post reports. Carilion Clinic's consolidation has sparked a local row: Is this the future of integrated, efficient health care delivery, or is it a gilded-age style monopoly?

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100816/Washington-Post-Debate-over-whether-big-health-systems-help-cut-costs.aspx

Hospital CFOs as Quality Leaders

When Paul Weygandt was presenting to a room full of hospital CFOs about the potential ramifications of the not-yet-passed healthcare reform legislation last year, he asked for a show of hands of how many in the room were involved in their organization’s clinical quality program. Not many went up.

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/FIN-255173/Hospital-CFOs-as-Quality-Leaders##

Insights From the Model for ACOs: Q&A With Harold Dash of Everett Clinic on the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration Project

Harold Dash, MD, a cardiologist, is president of the Everett (Wash.) Clinic, a group practice with more than 300 physicians. Here Dr. Dash discusses Everett's participation in the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration Project, the model for the accountable care organization, a new system that bundles charges for hospitals, physician and other providers.

Question: What was the goal of the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration?Harold

Dash: The goal was to lower costs and improve the quality of patient care. It involved 10 large physician groups across the country serving a total of 223,203 Medicare fee-for-service patients. Some of the practices are freestanding like Everett and some are integrated into health systems. The project lasted five years, ending this spring. Participants received the usual fee-for-service payments and then were eligible for cost performance payments and quality performance payments.

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/insights-from-the-model-for-acos-qaa-with-harold-dash-of-everett-clinic-on-the-medicare-physician-group-practice-demonstration-project.html

AMGA releases the 7 principles of an ACO

http://www.amga.org/AboutAMGA/ACO/principles_aco.asp

Columbia, S.C.-Area Health Systems Poised to Expand Despite High Unemployment and Uninsured Rates

Columbia Market Overview Now Available from HealthLeaders-InterStudy
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that despite the state's high unemployment rate and an increasing number of uninsured residents in the Columbia, S.C. market, health systems will likely expand over the coming 12 months. According to the recent Columbia Market Overview, Palmetto Health, Lexington Medical Center and Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals have brokered a deal that should allow each to expand services and facilities free from the presence of drawn-out certificate-of-need appeals.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/columbia-sc-area-health-systems-poised-to-expand-despite-high-unemployment-and-uninsured-rates-100532729.html