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Overview

Successful use of Health IT enabled Quality Improvement requires a strong organizational foundation. This includes understanding motivating factors as well as barriers, communicating the value of using Health IT to improve quality and outcomes, and building buy in and commitment throughout all levels of the organization. Resources in this section provide ideas and guidance on how to navigate this critical first step.

The ACO Conundrum
John Snow, Inc.
/ Categories: Value Based Payment, Engaging in Value Based Payment Models

The ACO Conundrum

Safety-Net Hospitals in the Era of Accountable Care

Serving a similar disenfranchised population, safety net hospitals can be a natural fit with health centers seeking the improve the health care system. This paper provides a unique perspective from safety net hospitals facing the conundrum of adding value to the health care system with the ACO model while taking losses for reducing inpatient days, emergency room visits, and imaging services. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this paper drafted by John Snow, Inc. and Bailit Health, discusses the role health centers have played for safety net hospitals navigating accountable care development efforts.  The paper highlights efforts from four safety net hospital systems: AltaMed Health Care Services in Los Angeles, CA; Baystate Health in Springfield, MA; Commonwealth Care Alliance in Boston, MA; and Hennepin Health in Minneapolis, MN.

Resource Links

  • Link to the original ACO Conundrum documentThe following conundrum emerged as a significant challenge: if the promise of ACOs proves successful, the result will be reduced hospital revenues resulting primarily from the reduction of inpatient days, emergency department utilization, and technical fees associated with imaging and outpatient procedures. This prospect leaves hospitals, especially those already operating on low Medicaid reimbursement rates and decreasing Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funds, facing a future where fewer
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Tags: value evidence data health centers research AltaMed Health Care Services-CA Baystate Health-MA Commonwealth Care Alliance-MA Hennepin Health-MN

Related Resources

Acknowledgements

This resource collection was compiled by the HITEQ Center staff with guidance from HITEQ Advisory Committee members and collaborators of the HITEQ Center.

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The Quadruple Aim
Quadruple Aim

A Conceptual Framework

Improving the U.S. health care system requires four aims: improving the experience of care, improving the health of populations, reducing per capita costs and improving care team well-being. HITEQ Center resources seek to provide content and direction aligned with the goals of the Quadruple Aim

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