Participation Of Rural Health Care Providers In Accountable Care Organizations: Early Indications

Keywords

accountable care organizations; primary health care; rural health

Abstract

Recently, some rural health clinics (RHCs) throughout the country have chosen to join groups of health care providers in accountable care organizations (ACOs). Examined are characteristics of Southeastern RHCs and the counties they serve; it is shown how those characteristics compare with other regions across the country and suggested what role those differences might play in an RHC's decision to participate in an ACO. Rural health clinic-related data were collected and summarized for 2 time periods: 2007 and 2011: for 2007, data from RHCs throughout the United States; for 2011, summarized demographic data related to region 4 RHCs specifically. Several characteristics about region 4 RHCs indicate that they may be slow to participate in ACOs. However, other characteristics, including their perception that ACOs may improve the quality of care and health outcomes of their patients and communities, may facilitate the process of RHCs joining ACOs, should they choose to do so. Addressing the health care needs and health care quality of rural populations must be part of the design, development, and performance monitoring of ACOs of the future.

Publication Date

7-13-2015

Publication Title

Health Care Manager

Volume

34

Issue

3

Number of Pages

255-264

Document Type

Editorial Material

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1097/HCM.0000000000000069

Socpus ID

84939189725 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84939189725

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