ACOs and care management teams can reduce hospitalizations, ED visits

Patients who participate in accountable care organizations (ACO) and care management teams may have fewer hospitalizations and ED visits and lower Medicare spending, according to a recent study in Health Affairs. Care management is a cornerstone of ACO interventions.

The study used data from 2009–2014 and focused on patients “with elevated but modifiable risks for future spending” within the care management program examined.

Pioneer ACO participation yielded modest effects on spending. However, care management participation resulted in reduced hospitalizations and ED visits as well as a reduction in Medicare spending compared to beneficiaries who had not started a care management program. The study found that participation in the care management program resulted in a 6% decrease in ED visits, 8% decrease in hospitalizations, and 6% decrease in Medicare spending.