What Is an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)?

An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a group of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers who voluntarily coordinate their efforts to offer organized, high-quality care to Medicare beneficiaries. The primary goal of an ACO is to deliver efficient, patient-focused care that minimizes unnecessary treatments and reduces healthcare costs.

Why are ACOs useful?

• Improved care coordination: By working closely together, healthcare providers in an ACO can better track your medical history, streamline your treatments, and avoid duplicate services.
• Lower costs for patients: Because ACOs aim to prevent unnecessary treatments or hospital stays, they can significantly lower your healthcare expenses.
• Enhanced quality of care: Providers in an ACO are incentivized to deliver better patient outcomes through shared accountability and regular performance evaluations.

How Solace can help

A Solace advocate can clarify how an ACO works, help you determine if joining one is beneficial for your medical situation, and answer any questions about coordinating your care. They can also help you locate providers within an ACO, facilitate your enrollment, and make sure you're getting timely access to the services you need.

What to do next

Want personalized guidance on how an ACO might impact your healthcare? Connect with a Solace advocate today to make informed decisions about your healthcare options. Find an advocate today.