Tag Archives: Accountable Care Organization

What is a Radiologist’s Role in an ACO?

By: Rachel Yaffe

Accountable care organization (commonly referred to as an ACO) is the new buzz phrase swarming the medical community. Since ACOs are still a relatively new concept, radiologists are wondering how they can play a role in an ACO.

An ACO is an organization comprised of a variety of healthcare providers who work together to manage and coordinate patient care, and is held accountable for the quality and cost of such care. The financial attractiveness of the ACO model is that the organization will have the opportunity to share in the cost savings resulting from the provision of evidence-based, coordinated patient care, which shared savings will ultimately trickle down to the ACO’s members. A typical ACO will include, at a minimum, primary care physicians and specialists. While hospitals are likely to be involved in ACOs, and may, in many instances, even drive ACO formation, hospital participation is not required.