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Landon BE, Lam MB, Landrum MB, McWilliams JM, Meneades L, Wright AA, Keating NL. Opportunities for Savings in Risk Arrangements for Oncologic Care. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2023; 4:e233124. [PMID: 37713209 PMCID: PMC10504611 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance As the US accelerates adoption of alternative payment through global payment models such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) or Medicare Advantage (MA), high spending for cancer care is a potential target for savings. Objective To quantify the extent to which ACOs and other risk-bearing organizations operating in a specific geographic area (hospital referral region [HRR]) could achieve savings by steering patients to efficient medical oncology practices. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational study included serial cross-sections of Medicare beneficiaries with cancer from 2010 to 2018. Data were analyzed from August 2021 to March 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Total spending and spending by category in the 1-year period following an index visit for a patient with newly diagnosed (incident) or poor-prognosis cancer. Results The incident cohort included 1 309 825 patients with a mean age of 74.0 years; the most common cancer types were breast (21.4%), lung (16.7%), and colorectal cancer (10.0%). The poor prognosis cohort included 1 429 973 (mean age, 72.7 years); the most common cancer types were lung (26.6%), lymphoma (11.7%), and leukemia (7.3%). Options for steering varied across markets; the top quartile market had 10 or more oncology practices, but the bottom quartile had 3 or fewer oncology practices. Total spending (including Medicare Part D) in the incident cohort increased from a mean of $57 314 in 2009 to 2010 to $66 028 in 2016 to 2017. Within markets, total spending for practices in the highest spending quartile was 19% higher than in the lowest quartile. Hospital spending was the single largest component of spending in both time periods ($20 390 and $19 718, respectively) followed by Part B (infused) chemotherapy ($8022 and $11 699). Correlations in practice-level spending between the first-year (2009) and second-year (2010) spending were high (>0.90 in all categories with most >0.98), but these attenuated over time. Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest there may be opportunities for ACOs and other risk-bearing organizations to select or drive referrals to lower-spending oncology practices in many local markets.
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Cholera R, Anderson DM, Chung R, Genova J, Shrader P, Bleser WK, Saunders RS, Wong CA. Analysis of North Carolina Medicaid Claims Data to Simulate a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2327264. [PMID: 37540515 PMCID: PMC10403786 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.27264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Despite momentum for pediatric value-based payment models, little is known about tailoring design elements to account for the unique needs and utilization patterns of children and young adults. Objective To simulate attribution to a hypothetical pediatric accountable care organization (ACO) and describe baseline demographic characteristics, expenditures, and utilization patterns over the subsequent year. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used Medicaid claims data for children and young adults aged 1 to 20 years enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid at any time during 2017. Children and young adults receiving at least 50% of their primary care at a large academic medical center (AMC) in 2017 were attributed to the ACO. Data were analyzed from April 2020 to March 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were total cost of care and care utilization during the 2018 performance year. Results Among 930 266 children and young adults (377 233 children [40.6%] aged 6-12 years; 470 612 [50.6%] female) enrolled in Medicare in North Carolina in 2017, 27 290 children and young adults were attributed to the ACO. A total of 12 306 Black non-Hispanic children and young adults (45.1%), 6308 Hispanic or Latinx children and young adults (23.1%), and 6531 White non-Hispanic children and young adults (23.9%) were included. Most attributed individuals (23 133 individuals [84.7%]) had at least 1 claim in the performance year. The median (IQR) total cost of care in 2018 was $347 ($107-$1123); 272 individuals (1.0%) accounted for nearly half of total costs. Compared with children and young adults in the lowest-cost quartile, those in the highest-cost quartile were more likely to have complex medical conditions (399 individuals [6.9%] vs 3442 individuals [59.5%]) and to live farther from the AMC (median [IQR distance, 6.0 [4.6-20.3] miles vs 13.9 [4.6-30.9] miles). Total cost of care was accrued in home (43%), outpatient specialty (19%), inpatient (14%) and primary (8%) care. More than half of attributed children and young adults received care outside of the ACO; the median (IQR) cost for leaked care was $349 ($130-$1326). The costliest leaked encounters included inpatient, ancillary, and home health care, while the most frequently leaked encounters included behavioral health, emergency, and primary care. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found that while most children attributed to the hypothetical Medicaid pediatric ACO lived locally with few health care encounters, a small group of children with medical complexity traveled long distances for care and used frequent and costly home-based and outpatient specialty care. Leaked care was substantial for all attributed children, with the cost of leaked care being higher than the total cost of care. These pediatric-specific clinical and utilization profiles have implications for future pediatric ACO design choices related to attribution, accounting for children with high costs, and strategies to address leaked care.
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Johnston KJ, Loux T, Joynt Maddox KE. Risk Selection and Care Fragmentation at Medicare Accountable Care Organizations for Patients With Dementia. Med Care 2023; 61:570-578. [PMID: 37411003 PMCID: PMC10328553 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with dementia are a growing and vulnerable population within Medicare. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are becoming Medicare's dominant care model, but ACO enrollment and care patterns for patients with dementia are unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare differences in ACO enrollment for patients with versus without dementia, and in risk profiles and ambulatory care among patients with dementia by ACO enrollment status. RESEARCH DESIGN Cohort study assessing the relationships between patient dementia, following-year ACO enrollment, and ambulatory care patterns. SUBJECTS A total of 13,362 (weighted: 45, 499,049) person-years for patients [2761 (weighted: 6,312,304) for dementia patients] ages 65 years and above in the 2015-2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. MEASURES We assessed differences in ACO enrollment rates for patients with versus without dementia, and in dementia-relevant ambulatory care visit rates and validated care fragmentation indices among patients with dementia by ACO enrollment status. RESULTS Patients with versus without dementia were less likely to be enrolled in (38.3% vs. 44.6%, P<0.001), and more likely to exit (21.1% vs. 13.7%, P<0.01) ACOs. Among patients with dementia, those enrolled versus not enrolled in ACOs had a more favorable social and health risk profile on 6 of 16 measures (P<0.05). There were no differences in rates of dementia-relevant, primary, or specialty care visits. ACO enrollment was associated with 45.7% higher wellness visit rates (P<0.001), and 13.4% more fragmented primary care (P<0.01) spread across 8.7% more distinct physicians (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Medicare ACOs are less likely to enroll and retain patients with dementia than other patients and provide more fragmented primary care without providing additional dementia-relevant ambulatory care visits.
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Hague EL, Brown TT, Brewster A, Shortell SM, Rodriguez HP. Hospital Characteristics Associated With Clinically Integrated Network Participation. Med Care 2023; 61:521-527. [PMID: 37314353 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased integration of physician organizations and hospitals into health systems has not necessarily improved clinical integration or patient outcomes. However, federal regulators have issued favorable opinions for clinically integrated networks (CINs) as a way to pursue coordination between hospitals and physicians. Hospital organizational affiliations, including independent practice associations (IPA), physician-hospital organizations (PHOs), and accountable care organizations (ACOs), may support CIN participation. No empirical evidence, however, exists about factors associated with CIN participation. METHODS Data from the 2019 American Hospital Association survey (n = 4405) were analyzed to quantify hospital CIN participation. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated to examine whether IPA, PHO, and ACO affiliations were associated with CIN participation, controlling for market factors and hospital characteristics. RESULTS In 2019, 34.6% of hospitals participated in a CIN. Larger, not-for-profit, and metropolitan hospitals were more likely to participate in CINs. In adjusted analyses, hospitals participating in CINs were more likely to have an IPA (9.5% points, P < 0.001), a PHO (6.1% points, P < 0.001), and ACO (19.3% points, P < 0.001) compared with hospitals not participating in a CIN. CONCLUSIONS Over one-third of hospitals participate in a CIN, despite limited evidence about their effectiveness in delivering value. Results suggest that CIN participation may be a response to integrative norms. Future work should attempt to better define CIN participation and strive to disentangle overlapping organizational participation.
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Ganguli I, Crawford ML, Usadi B, Mulligan KL, O'Malley AJ, Yang CWW, Fisher ES, Morden NE. Who's Accountable? Low-Value Care Received By Medicare Beneficiaries Outside Of Their Attributed Health Systems. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:1128-1139. [PMID: 37549329 PMCID: PMC10860675 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Policy makers and payers increasingly hold health systems accountable for spending and quality for their attributed beneficiaries. Low-value care-medical services that offer little or no benefit and have the potential for harm in specific clinical scenarios-received outside of these systems could threaten success on both fronts. Using national Medicare data for fee-for-service beneficiaries ages sixty-five and older and attributed to 595 US health systems, we describe where and from whom they received forty low-value services during 2017-18 and identify factors associated with out-of-system receipt. Forty-three percent of low-value services received by attributed beneficiaries originated from out-of-system clinicians: 38 percent from specialists, 4 percent from primary care physicians, and 1 percent from advanced practice clinicians. Recipients of low-value care were more likely to obtain that care out of system if age 75 or older (versus ages 65-74), male (versus female), non-Hispanic White (versus other races or ethnicities), rural dwelling (versus metropolitan dwelling), more medically complex, or experiencing lower continuity of care. However, out-of-system service receipt was not associated with recipients' health systems' accountable care organization status. Health systems might improve quality and reduce spending for their attributed beneficiaries by addressing out-of-system receipt of low-value care-for example, by improving continuity.
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Miller-Rosales C, Morden NE, Brunette MF, Busch SH, Torous JB, Meara ER. Provision of Digital Health Technologies for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment by US Health Care Organizations. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2323741. [PMID: 37459098 PMCID: PMC10352858 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Digital health technologies may expand organizational capacity to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). However, it remains unclear whether these technologies serve as substitutes for or complements to traditional substance use disorder (SUD) treatment resources in health care organizations. Objective To characterize the use of patient-facing digital health technologies for OUD by US organizations with accountable care organization (ACO) contracts. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study analyzed responses to the 2022 National Survey of Accountable Care Organizations (NSACO), collected between October 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, from US organizations with Medicare and Medicaid ACO contracts. Data analysis was performed between December 15, 2022, and January 6, 2023. Exposures Treatment resources for SUD (eg, an addiction medicine specialist, sufficient staff to treat SUD, medications for OUD, a specialty SUD treatment facility, a registry to identify patients with OUD, or a registry to track mental health for patients with OUD) and organizational characteristics (eg, organization type, Medicaid ACO contract). Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes included survey-reported use of 3 categories of digital health technologies for OUD: remote mental health therapy and tracking, virtual peer recovery support programs, and digital recovery support for adjuvant cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models. Results Overall, 276 of 505 organizations responded to the NSACO (54.7% response rate), with a total of 304 respondents. Of these, 161 (53.1%) were from a hospital or health system, 74 (24.2%) were from a physician- or medical group-led organization, and 23 (7.8%) were from a safety-net organization. One-third of respondents (101 [33.5%]) reported that their organization used at least 1 of the 3 digital health technology categories, including remote mental health therapy and tracking (80 [26.5%]), virtual peer recovery support programs (46 [15.1%]), and digital recovery support for adjuvant CBT (27 [9.0%]). In an adjusted analysis, organizations with an addiction medicine specialist (average marginal effect [SE], 32.3 [4.7] percentage points; P < .001) or a registry to track mental health (average marginal effect [SE], 27.2 [3.8] percentage points; P < .001) were more likely to use at least 1 category of technology compared with otherwise similar organizations lacking these capabilities. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of 276 organizations with ACO contracts, organizations used patient-facing digital health technologies for OUD as complements to available SUD treatment capabilities rather than as substitutes for unavailable resources. Future studies should examine implementation facilitators to realize the potential of emerging technologies to support organizations facing health care practitioner shortages and other barriers to OUD treatment delivery.
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McCurley JL, Fung V, Levy DE, McGovern S, Vogeli C, Clark CR, Bartels S, Thorndike AN. Assessment of the Massachusetts Flexible Services Program to Address Food and Housing Insecurity in a Medicaid Accountable Care Organization. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2023; 4:e231191. [PMID: 37266960 PMCID: PMC10238945 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Health systems are increasingly addressing health-related social needs. The Massachusetts Flexible Services program (Flex) is a 3-year pilot program to address food insecurity and housing insecurity by connecting Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) enrollees to community resources. Objective To understand barriers and facilitators of Flex implementation in 1 Medicaid ACO during the first 17 months of the program. Design, Setting, and Participants This mixed-methods qualitative evaluation study from March 2020 to July 2021 used the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance/Practical, Robust Implementation, and Sustainability Model (RE-AIM/PRISM) framework. Two Mass General Brigham (MGB) hospitals and affiliated community health centers were included in the analysis. Quantitative data included all MGB Medicaid ACO enrollees. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 members of ACO staff and 17 Flex enrollees. Main Outcomes and Measures Reach was assessed by the proportion of ACO enrollees who completed annual social needs screening (eg, food insecurity and housing insecurity) and the proportion and demographics of Flex enrollees. Qualitative interviews examined other RE-AIM/PRISM constructs (eg, implementation challenges, facilitators, and perceived effectiveness). Results Of 67 098 Medicaid ACO enrollees from March 2020 to July 2021 (mean [SD] age, 28.8 [18.7] years), 38 442 (57.3%) completed at least 1 social needs screening; 10 730 (16.0%) screened positive for food insecurity, and 7401 (11.0%) screened positive for housing insecurity. There were 658 (1.6%) adults (mean [SD] age, 46.6 [11.8] years) and 173 (0.7%) children (<21 years; mean [SD] age, 10.1 [5.5]) enrolled in Flex; of these 831 people, 613 (73.8%) were female, 444 (53.4%) were Hispanic/Latinx, and 172 (20.7%) were Black. Most Flex enrollees (584 [88.8%] adults; 143 [82.7%] children) received the intended nutrition or housing services. Implementation challenges identified by staff interviewed included administrative burden, coordination with community organizations, data-sharing and information-sharing, and COVID-19 factors (eg, reduced clinical visits). Implementation facilitators included administrative funding for enrollment staff, bidirectional communication with community partners, adaptive strategies to identify eligible patients, and raising clinician awareness of Flex. In Flex enrollee interviews, those receiving nutrition services reported increased healthy eating and food security; they also reported higher program satisfaction than Flex enrollees receiving housing services. Enrollees who received nutrition services that allowed for selecting food based on preferences reported higher satisfaction than those not able to select food. Conclusions and Relevance This mixed-methods qualitative evaluation study found that to improve implementation, Medicaid and health system programs that address social needs may benefit from providing funding for administrative costs, developing bidirectional data-sharing platforms, and tailoring support to patient preferences.
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Meddings J, Gibbons JB, Reale BK, Banerjee M, Norton EC, Bynum JP. The Impact of Nurse Practitioner Care and Accountable Care Organization Assignment on Skilled Nursing Services and Hospital Readmissions. Med Care 2023; 61:341-348. [PMID: 36920180 PMCID: PMC10175087 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accountable care organizations (ACOs) and the employment of nurse practitioners (NP) in place of physicians are strategies that aim to reduce the cost and improve the quality of routine care delivered in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). The recent expansion of ACOs and nurse practitioners into SNF settings in the United States may be associated with improved health outcomes for patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between ACO attribution and NP care delivery during SNF visits and the relationship between NP care delivery during SNF visits and unplanned hospital readmissions. METHODS We obtained a sample of 527,329 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with 1 or more SNF stays between 2012 and 2017. We used logistic regression to measure the association between patient ACO attribution and evaluation and management care delivered by NPs in addition to the relationship between evaluation and management services delivered by NPs and hospital readmissions. RESULTS ACO beneficiaries were 1.26% points more likely to receive 1 or more E&M services delivered by an NP during their SNF visits [Marginal Effect (ME): 0.0126; 95% CI: (0.009, 0.0160)]. ACO-attributed beneficiaries receiving most of their E&M services from NPs during their SNF visits were at a lower risk of readmission than ACO-attributed beneficiaries receiving no NP E&M care (5.9% vs. 7.1%; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Greater participation by the NPs in care delivery in SNFs was associated with a reduced risk of patient readmission to hospitals. ACOs attributed beneficiaries were more likely to obtain the benefits of greater nurse practitioner involvement in their care.
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Perloff J. Accountable Care Organizations, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Nurse Practitioners: Moving From Broad Themes to Actionable Care Redesign. Med Care 2023; 61:339-340. [PMID: 37167556 PMCID: PMC10168100 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
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Lyu PF, Chernew ME, McWilliams JM. Benchmarking Changes And Selective Participation In The Medicare Shared Savings Program. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:622-631. [PMID: 37126741 PMCID: PMC10228701 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In 2017 the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) began incorporating regional spending into accountable care organization (ACO) benchmarks, thus favoring the participation of ACOs and practices with lower baseline spending than their region. To characterize providers' responses to these incentives, we isolated changes in spending due to changes in the mix of ACOs and practices participating in the MSSP. In contrast to earlier participation patterns, the composition of the MSSP after 2017 increasingly shifted to providers with lower preexisting levels of spending relative to their region, consistent with a selection response. Changes occurred through the entry of new ACOs with lower baseline spending, the exit of higher-spending ACOs, and the reconfiguration of participant lists favoring lower-spending practices within continuing ACOs. These participation patterns varied meaningfully by ACO type. Although compositional changes could not be definitively tied to benchmarking changes, the disproportionate participation of providers with lower baseline spending implies substantial costs and the need for ACO benchmarking reforms.
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Ying M, Hirth RA, Yan P, Shay A, Murali S, Ryan A, Hollingsworth JM. Changes in Shared Savings Program Participation After Launch of Pathways to Success. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1780-1782. [PMID: 36441367 PMCID: PMC10212830 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Benson NM, Price M, Weiss M, Vogeli C, Vienneau MM, Mendu ML, Flaster A, Balentine L, Jubelt L, Meyer GS, Hsu J. Tacking upwind: reducing spending among high-risk commercially insured patients. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE 2023; 29:220-226. [PMID: 37229781 PMCID: PMC11056950 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study examined a commercial accountable care organization (ACO) population and then assessed the impact of an integrated care management program on medical spending and clinical event rates. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of high-risk individuals (n = 487) in a population of 365,413 individuals aged 18 to 64 years within the Mass General Brigham health system who were part of commercial ACO contracts with 3 large insurers between 2015 and 2019. METHODS Using medical spending claims and other enrollment data, the study assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics, medical spending, and clinical event rates of patients in the ACO and its high-risk care management program. The study then examined the impact of the program using a staggered difference-in-difference design with individual-level fixed effects and compared outcomes of those who had entered the program with those of similar patients who had not entered. RESULTS The commercially insured ACO population was healthy on average but included several hundred high-risk patients (n = 487). After adjustment, patients within the ACO's integrated care management program for high-risk patients had lower monthly medical spending (by $1361 per person per month) as well as lower emergency department visit and hospitalization rates compared with similar patients who had yet to start the program. Accounting for early ACO departure decreased the magnitude of the program effects as expected. CONCLUSIONS Commercial ACO populations may be healthy on average but still include some high-risk patients. Identifying which patients might benefit from more intensive care management could be critical for reaping the potential savings.
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Brown TT, Hague E, Neumann A, Rodriguez HP, Shortell SM. Impact of a selective narrow network with comprehensive patient navigation on access, utilization, expenditures, and enrollee experiences. Health Serv Res 2023; 58:332-342. [PMID: 36111577 PMCID: PMC10012245 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of enrollee switching from a broad-network accountable care organization (ACO) health maintenance organization (HMO) to a "high performance" ACO-HMO with a selective narrow network and comprehensive patient navigation system on access, utilization, expenditures, and enrollee experiences. DATA SOURCES Secondary administrative data were obtained for 2016-2020, and primary interview and survey data in 2021. STUDY DESIGN Fixed-effects instrumental variable analyses of administrative data and regression analyses of survey data. Outcomes included access, utilization, expenditures, and enrollee experience. Background information was gathered via interviews. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We obtained medical expenditure/enrollment and access data on continuously enrolled members in a broad-network ACO-HMO (n = 24,555), a subset of those who switched to a high-performance ACO-HMO in 2018 (n = 7664); interviews of organizational leaders (n = 13); and an enrollee survey (n = 512). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Health care effectiveness data and information Set (HEDIS) access measures were not different across plans. However, annual utilization dropped by 15.5 percentage points (95% CI: 18.1, 12.9) more in the high-performance ACO-HMO, with relative annual expenditures declining by $1251 (95% CI: $1461, $1042) per person per year. High-performance ACO-HMO enrollees were 10.1 percentage points (95% CI 0.001, 0.201) more likely to access primary care usually or always as soon as needed and 11.2 percentage points (95% CI 0.007, 0.217) more likely to access specialty care usually or always as soon as needed. Plan satisfaction was 7.1 percentage points (95% CI: -0.001, 0.138) higher in the high-performance ACO-HMO. Interviewees noted the comprehensive patient navigation system was designed to ensure patients remained in the narrow network to receive care. CONCLUSIONS ACO and HMO contracts with selective narrow networks supported by comprehensive patient navigation can reduce expenditures and improve specialty access and patient satisfaction compared to broad-network plans that lack these features. Payers should consider implementing narrow networks with comprehensive support systems.
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Benson NM, Price M, Vogeli C, Vienneau MM, Mendu ML, Flaster A, Balentine L, Jubelt L, Meyer GS, Hsu J. Population turnover and leakage in commercial ACOs. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MANAGED CARE 2023; 29:e104-e110. [PMID: 37104836 PMCID: PMC10542917 DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Commercial accountable care organization (ACO) contracts attempt to mitigate spending growth, but past evaluations have been limited to continuously enrolled ACO members in health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, excluding many members. The objective of this study was to examine the magnitude of turnover and leakage within a commercial ACO. STUDY DESIGN A historical cohort study using detailed information from multiple commercial ACO contracts within a large health care system between 2015 and 2019. METHODS Individuals insured through 1 of the 3 largest commercial ACO contracts during the study period, 2015-2019, were included. We examined patterns of entry and exit and the characteristics that predicted remaining in the ACO compared with leaving the ACO. We also examined predictors of the amount of care delivered in the ACO compared with outside the ACO. RESULTS Among the 453,573 commercially insured individuals in the ACO, approximately half left the ACO within the initial 24 months after entry. Approximately one-third of spending was for care occurring outside the ACO. Patients who remained in the ACO differed from those who left earlier, including being older, having a non-HMO plan, having lower predicted spending at entry, and having more medical spending for care performed within the ACO during the initial quarter of membership. CONCLUSIONS Both turnover and leakage hamper the ability of ACOs to manage spending. Modifications that address potentially intrinsic vs avoidable sources of population turnover and increase patient incentives for care within vs outside of ACOs could help address medical spending growth within commercial ACO programs.
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Colla CH, Lewis VA, Chang CH, Crawford M, Peck KA, Meara E. Changes in spending and quality after ACO contract participation for dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness. HEALTHCARE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 11:100664. [PMID: 36543011 PMCID: PMC9898178 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2022.100664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragmented care and misaligned payment across Medicare and Medicaid lower care quality for dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness. Accountable care organizations aim to improve the quality and value of care. METHODS Using Medicare fee-for-service Part A and B claims data from 2009 to 2017 and a difference-in-differences design, we compared the spending and utilization of dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness that were and were not attributed to Medicare ACO providers before and after ACO contract entry. RESULTS Dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness (N = 5,157,533, 70% depression, 22% bipolar, 27% schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders) had average annual Medicare spending of $17,899. ACO contract participation was generally not associated with spending or utilization changes. However, ACO contract participation was associated with higher rates of follow-up visits after mental health hospitalization: 1.17 and 1.30 percentage points within 7 and 30 days of discharge, respectively (p < 0.001). ACO-attributed beneficiaries with schizophrenia, bipolar, or other psychotic disorders received more ambulatory visits (393.9 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.002), while ACO-attributed beneficiaries with depression experienced fewer emergency department visits (-29.5 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.003) after ACO participation. CONCLUSIONS Dually eligible beneficiaries served by Medicare ACOs did not have lower spending, hospitalizations, or readmissions compared with other beneficiaries. However, ACO participation was associated with timely follow-up after mental health hospitalization, as well as more ambulatory care and fewer ED visits for certain diagnostic groups. IMPLICATIONS ACOs that include dually eligible beneficiaries with mental illness should tailor their designs to address the distinct needs of this population.
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Spivack SB, Murray GF, Lewis VA. A Decade of ACOs in Medicare: Have They Delivered on Their Promise? JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLITICS, POLICY AND LAW 2023; 48:63-92. [PMID: 36112955 DOI: 10.1215/03616878-10171090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) were envisioned as a way to address both health care cost growth and uneven quality in US health care. They emerged in the early 2000s, with the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) establishing a Medicare ACO program. In the decade since their launch, ACOs have grown into one of Medicare's flagship payment reform programs, with millions of beneficiaries receiving care from hundreds of ACOs. While great expectations surrounded ACOs' introduction into Medicare, their impacts to date have been modest. ACOs have achieved some savings and improvements in measured quality, but disagreement persists over the meaning of those results: Do ACOs represent important, incremental steps forward on the path toward a more efficient, high-quality health care system? Or do their modest achievements signal a failure of large-scale progress despite the substantial investments of resources? ACOs have proven to be politically resilient, largely sidestepping the controversies and partisan polarization that have led to the demise of other ACA provisions. But the same features that have enabled ACOs to evade backlash have constrained their impacts and effectiveness. After a decade, ACOs' long-term influence on Medicare and the US health care system remains uncertain.
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Han J, Jathavedam A, Perepelyuk M, Casale PN. Impact of a Clinician Incentive Program on Quality Measures Performance in a Medicare Shared Savings Accountable Care Organization. Am J Med Qual 2023; 38:29-36. [PMID: 36579962 DOI: 10.1097/jmq.0000000000000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Financial incentives are often used to encourage and reward clinicians for achieving specific outcomes; however, there is limited data on their effectiveness. This study evaluates the impact of NewYork Quality Care's Clinician Incentive Program on improving quality measure performance over 4 years. Clinicians including primary care physicians and specialists actively opted-in to an incentive program where their quality performance was evaluated and rewarded biannually. Using Medicare Shared Savings Program data extracted for quality measures (2016-2019), this study analyzes quality measure performance between clinicians who opted-in to the program compared to those who did not. Additional analysis was performed comparing primary care clinician and specialist performance. The analysis revealed that clinicians in the incentive program significantly outperform (P < 0.05) clinicians who chose not to join the program in 6 of the 7 quality measures. In addition, the program helped facilitate discussions with clinicians more broadly in population health efforts.
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Cooper MI, Attanasio LB, Geissler KH. Maternity care clinician inclusion in Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282679. [PMID: 36888632 PMCID: PMC9994708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) are increasingly common, but the network breadth for maternity care is not well described. The inclusion of maternity care clinicians in Medicaid ACOs has significant implications for access to care for pregnant people, who are disproportionately insured by Medicaid. PURPOSE To address this, we evaluate obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYN), maternal-fetal medicine specialists (MFM), certified nurse midwives (CNM), and acute care hospital inclusion in Massachusetts Medicaid ACOs. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Using publicly available provider directories for Massachusetts Medicaid ACOs (n = 16) from December 2020 -January 2021, we quantify obstetrician-gynecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, CNMs, and acute care hospital with obstetric department inclusion in each Medicaid ACO. We compare maternity care provider and acute care hospital inclusion across and within ACO type. For Accountable Care Partnership Plans, we compare maternity care clinician and acute care hospital inclusion to ACO enrollment. RESULTS Primary Care ACO plans include 1185 OB/GYNs, 51 MFMs, and 100% of Massachusetts acute care hospitals, but CNMs were not easily identifiable in the directories. Across Accountable Care Partnership Plans, a mean of 305 OB/GYNs (median: 97; range: 15-812), 15 MFMs (Median: 8; range: 0-50), 85 CNMs (median: 29; range: 0-197), and half of Massachusetts acute care hospitals (median: 23.81%; range: 10%-100%) were included. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Substantial differences exist in maternity care clinician inclusion across and within ACO types. Characterizing the quality of included maternity care clinicians and hospitals across ACOs is an important target of future research. Highlighting maternal healthcare as a key area of focus for Medicaid ACOs-including equitable access to high-quality obstetric providers-will be important to improving maternal health outcomes.
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Landon BE. Alternative Payments and Physician Organizations. Adv Health Care Manag 2022; 21:133-150. [PMID: 36437620 DOI: 10.1108/s1474-823120220000021007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
There are longstanding concerns about the sustainability of the US health care system. Payment reform has been seen over the last decade as a key strategy to reorienting the US health care system around value. Alternative payment models (APMs) that seek to accomplish this goal have become increasingly prevalent in the US, yet there is a perception that physicians are resistant to their use and that organizations have been slow to adopt such models. The reasons for the limited effectiveness of APM programs are multifactorial and include aspects related to the design and implementation of these programs and lack of alignment and coordination across different payers and health care sectors. Most importantly, however, is that the current organizational structures in US health care serve to dampen the direct impact of these incentives, often because health care delivery organizations face conflicting incentives themselves. Organizations filter and refine the incentives from multiple external payment contracts and develop internal incentive systems that best reflect the amalgamation of the incentives embedded across their contracts, and thus the fragmented nature of the US health care system serves to undermine efforts to transform care under value-based contracts. In addition to organizations having conflicting incentives, there also are fundamental problems with the design and implementation of APMs that hinder their acceptance among physicians and the organizations in which they work. Moreover, much remains to be learned about how organizations can best adapt to succeed under these models, and how organizational culture can be leveraged to transform care.
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Abstract
Healthcare delivery models have evolved from fee-for-service to incentivized care like patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations. This article discusses the evolution of healthcare delivery models and presents a vision for digital health.
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Lam MB, Friend TH, Erfani P, Orav EJ, Jha AK, Figueroa JF. ACO Spending and Utilization Among Medicare Patients at the End of Life: an Observational Study. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3275-3282. [PMID: 35022958 PMCID: PMC9550919 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07183-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life (EOL) costs constitute a substantial portion of healthcare spending in the USA and have been increasing. ACOs may offer an opportunity to improve quality and curtail EOL spending. OBJECTIVE To examine whether practices that became ACOs altered spending and utilization at the EOL. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of Medicare claims. PATIENTS We assigned patients who died in 2012 and 2015 to an ACO or non-ACO practice. Practices that converted to ACOs in 2013 or 2014 were matched to non-ACOs in the same region. A total of 23,643 ACO patients were matched to 23,643 non-ACO patients. MAIN MEASURES Using a difference-in-differences model, we examined changes in EOL spending and care utilization after ACO implementation. KEY RESULTS The introduction of ACOs did not significantly impact overall spending for patients in the last 6 months of life (difference-in-difference (DID) = $192, 95%CI -$841 to $1125, P = 0.72). Changes in spending did not differ between ACO and non-ACO patients across spending categories (inpatient, outpatient, physician services, skilled nursing, home health, hospice). No differences were seen between ACO and non-ACO patients in rates of ED visits, inpatient admissions, ICU admission, mean healthy days at home, and mean hospice days at 180 and 30 days prior to death. However, non-ACO patients had a significantly greater increase in hospice utilization compared to ACO patients at 180 days (DID P-value = 0.02) and 30 days (DID P-value = 0.01) prior to death. CONCLUSIONS With the exception of hospice care utilization, spending and utilization were not different between ACOs and non-ACO patients at the EOL. Longer follow-up may be necessary to evaluate the impact of ACOs on EOL spending and care.
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Ortiz J, Hill M, Thomas CW, Hofler R. Accountable Care Organizations and Health Disparities of Rural Latinos: A Longitudinal Analysis. Popul Health Manag 2022; 25:651-657. [PMID: 35704880 PMCID: PMC9836698 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2022.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to analyze the change in diabetes-related hospitalization rates of rural Latino older adult patients as compared with their White counterparts and (2) to determine what factors, including rural health clinic (RHC) participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs), are related to reduced disparities in diabetes-related hospitalization rates. Data for Latino Medicare beneficiaries who were served by RHCs over an 8-year period were analyzed. First, a difference-of-means test was conducted to determine whether there was a change in disparity from the pre-ACO period (2008-2011) to the post-ACO period (2012-2015). A statistically significant decrease in disparity over time was found (t = -7.6899, df = 115, P < 0.001.) Second, multiple regression analyses of 3 separate models were conducted to determine whether ACO participation contributed to reducing disparities in diabetes-related hospitalization rates between Latinos and Whites. The analyses indicated moderate evidence that consistent ACO participation is associated with lower health disparities (t = -1.947, P = 0.0525). However, this association is not significant after balancing covariates, and no causal relationship can be established. Latinos compose one of the fastest growing groups in rural as well as urban areas of the United States. It is critical that ACOs, with their emphasis on care coordination, health care quality, and value, monitor their provision of services to Latinos, rural, and other vulnerable populations.
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Huang H, Zhu X, Wehby GL. Primary care physicians' participation in the Medicare shared savings program and preventive services delivery: Evidence from the first 7 years. Health Serv Res 2022; 57:1182-1190. [PMID: 35808929 PMCID: PMC9441290 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether primary care physicians' participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) is associated with changes in their preventive services delivery. DATA SOURCES Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File and MSSP Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) Provider-Level Research Identifiable File from 2012 to 2018. STUDY DESIGN The design was a two-way fixed effects model estimating within-provider changes in preventive services delivery over time controlling for provider time-invariant characteristics, national time trends, and characteristics of served patients. The following preventive services were evaluated: influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, clinical depression screening, colorectal cancer screening, breast cancer screening, Body Mass Index (BMI) screening and follow-up, tobacco use assessment, and annual wellness visits. Both the likelihood of providing services and the volume of services delivered were evaluated. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Secondary data linked at the provider level. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS MSSP participation was associated with an increase in the likelihood of providing influenza vaccination (0.7 percentage-points), pneumococcal vaccination (2.0 percentage-points), clinical depression screening (2.1 percentage-points), tobacco use assessment (0.3 percentage-points), and annual wellness visits (4.1 percentage-points). A similar increase was found for the volume of services delivered per 100 patients for several preventive services: influenza vaccination (0.18), pneumococcal vaccination (0.56), clinical depression screening (0.46), and annual wellness visits (1.52). MSSP participation was associated with a decrease in the likelihood (-0.4 percentage-points) and the volume of colorectal cancer screening (-0.03). CONCLUSIONS Primary care physicians' participation in MSSP was associated with an increase in the likelihood and the volume of several preventive services.
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Bishai DM, Resnick B, Lamba S, Cardona C, Leider JP, McCullough JM, Gemmill A. Being Accountable for Capability-Getting Public Health Reform Right This Time. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:1374-1378. [PMID: 35952330 PMCID: PMC9480453 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Festa N, Price M, Weiss M, Moura LMVR, Benson NM, Zafar S, Blacker D, Normand SLT, Newhouse JP, Hsu J. Evaluating The Accuracy Of Medicare Risk Adjustment For Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias. Health Aff (Millwood) 2022; 41:1324-1332. [PMID: 36067434 PMCID: PMC9973227 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In 2020 Medicare reintroduced Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs) to risk-adjust Medicare Advantage and accountable care organization (ACO) payments. The potential for Medicare spending increases from this policy change are not well understood because the baseline accuracy of ADRD HCCs is uncertain. Using linked 2016-18 claims and electronic health record data from a large ACO, we evaluated the accuracy of claims-based ADRD HCCs against a reference standard of clinician-adjudicated disease. An estimated 7.5 percent of beneficiaries had clinician-adjudicated ADRD. Among those with ADRD HCCs, 34 percent did not have clinician-adjudicated disease. The false-negative and false-positive rates were 22.7 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. Medicare spending for those with false-negative ADRD HCCs exceeded that of true positives by $14,619 per beneficiary. If, after the reintroduction of risk adjustment for ADRD, all false negatives were coded as having ADRD, expenditure benchmarks for beneficiaries with ADRD would increase by 9 percent. Monitoring ADRD coding could become challenging in the setting of concurrent incentives to decrease false-negative rates and increase false-positive rates.
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