Focus on Primary Care Puts ACOs on the Path to Success, New Report Finds

What's the best way forward for Accountable Care Organizations? Evidence shows they should prioritize primary care and advanced models like the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), declares a new report from the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative, a coalition of organizations that includes the American College of Physicians.

According to the collaborative's White Paper summary on the report, “a strong foundation of advanced primary care as embodied in the PCMH is critical to the success of care delivery reforms.” The report adds that “policies that encourage a strong primary care orientation for ACOs should be considered.”

Shari Erickson, ACP's vice president for governmental affairs and medical practice, expects the report's unequivocal findings will be influential.

“This report, which relies on the findings of policy research, is quite helpful from an advocacy perspective,” Erickson said. “It's a valuable tool to help us emphasize the importance of primary care, particularly the Patient-Centered Medical Home, when we meet with policymakers on Capitol Hill or within the Trump administration.”

In 2006, ACP joined with a wide range of public and private organizations to found the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative. Members include fellow clinician societies, major employers such as IBM, insurers, consumer groups and more – all devoted to promoting and sharing best practices that achieve the “quadruple aim”: better care, better health, lower costs and greater joy for clinicians and staff in delivery of care.

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