Healthcare Innovation November 9, 2019
Analysis of first specialty-focused ACOs identifies decrease in hospitalizations
An analysis following the second payment year of the Comprehensive End-Stage Renal Disease Care (CEC) Model found that it led to a decrease in hospitalizations and an increase in outpatient dialysis sessions.
The CEC Model tests whether the creation of ESRD Seamless Care Organizations (ESCOs) can reduce Medicare expenditures while maintaining or improving quality of care. Each ESCO, which is made up of dialysis facilities, nephrologists and other providers, is a specialty-oriented accountable care organization (ACO) that assumes responsibility for the quality of care and Medicare Part A and Part B spending of their aligned beneficiaries. These ESCOs represent a variety of geographic regions, ownership structures...