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Topic 2 DQ2

Innovative care delivery models are essential measures that help to reduce medical

expenses, meet diverse patients' needs and provide quality services. These models are patient-

centered and engage the patient because they actively participate in decision-making by being

transparent and expressing their needs. Among these models is the Accountable Care

Organization (ACO), formed by a union of physicians, medical organizations, and other health

stakeholders who willingly provide top-notch medical services to Medicare patients. ACO's task

is to ensure fewer medical costs with high-quality care to patients (Colla et al., 2016).

This model engages professionals from diverse backgrounds, including doctors, care

providers, assistant physicians, and other health workers who collaborate to obtain a more

holistic perspective. Trombley et al. (2019) note that participation in ACO, particularly by

citizens in rural and marginalized areas, enabled them to cut on the medical costs compared to

non-ACO users. ACO allows the medical staff to provide more coordinated care and desirable

management of chronic disorders. Early and high-quality care reduces costly equipment, and

coordinated care allows outpatient management, thus reducing the overall medical costs and

improving patient outcomes.

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References

Colla, C. H., Lewis, V. A., Kao, L. S., O’Malley, A. J., Chang, C. H., & Fisher, E. S. (2016).

Association between Medicare accountable care organization implementation and

spending among clinically vulnerable beneficiaries. JAMA internal medicine, 176(8),

1167-1175.

Trombley, M. J., Fout, B., Brodsky, S., McWilliams, J. M., Nyweide, D. J., & Morefield, B.

(2019). Early effects of an accountable care organization model for underserved

areas. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(6), 543-551.