SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive and cutting-edge report co-authored by Leavitt Partners and KLAS Research shares detailed information about the structure, maturity, partnerships, practice and payment arrangements of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) throughout the country. The report, which represents the culmination of months of survey research and analysis, is based on a largest-of-its-kind and growing database of more than 324 ACOs and in-depth interviews with 57 physician leaders and health executives. The research makes clear the inseparable relationship between risk, care coordination and health information technology (HIT), and reveals an expanding and diverse movement that will dramatically alter the future of American health care.

"Our findings affirm that the health care industry is moving rapidly and thoughtfully towards new payment models that empower providers to assume responsibility for outcomes as well as costs," said Andrew Croshaw, a partner and managing director at Leavitt Partners. "The ACO movement, while still in its infancy, is moving from a seldom observed abstract concept to a legitimate new model of care delivery and payment. This report uncovers the details behind the movement and sheds light on the challenges and solutions facing decision-makers as the movement grows."

Research for the report is based on Leavitt Partners' ACO database and interviews with C-suite executives, physicians and other senior executives. The 153-page document includes an executive overview of the research and briefs on topics like ACO partnerships, payment arrangements, payer mix, continuum of care, care coordination and a variety of HIT topics. The report also includes detailed research data in an easy-to-understand graphic format and a special questions commentary section that reveals how ACOs operate.

Among the multiple findings included in the report are these conclusions:

• Unique arrangements –  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has served as a catalyst  for ACO growth, over half of the ACOs surveyed work outside of government in a melting pot of hospital systems, physician groups and commercial payers. With few exceptions, each ACO represents a unique combination of risk-bearing arrangements, care coordination, technology solutions and goals.
• Physicians taking a lead –  The number of ACOs led by physician groups has increased dramatically. Physicians bring primary care and medical home experience, but face a challenge in building data platforms to manage populations.
• Greater risk –  Almost one-third of the ACOs surveyed have capitation contracts for a portion of their population, which is the payment arrangement most often cited as the ultimate goal of the accountable care movement.
• Hands-on care coordination –  Health information technology constitutes a major part of the care coordination equation, but most strategies are labor intensive. Care transition coordinators, care management coordinators, wellness programs, and health coaches were common elements of the ACOs surveyed.

The report authors identify three broad categories of ACOs. About 20 percent of ACOs surveyed are "toe dippers." These organizations are just getting started, cautious in their approach, and unsure of their long-term strategy. Another 65 percent of ACOs surveyed are "mainstream." These entities embrace accountable care publicly and energetically, and participate in well-known programs such as the Medicare Shared Savings and formal arrangements with commercial payers. The final 15 percent of ACOs surveyed are "forerunners" because they functioned as ACOs before the term was defined. These organizations are likely to be large integrated delivery systems and are experienced at operating fully capitated models like Medicare Advantage.

"This landmark research provides detailed information about the transition to risk-based payment models," said Croshaw. "Looking at past ACO activity, as well as the abundant private sector activity underway now, it is apparent that ACOs are responding to an economic rather than a pure political imperative. Regardless of the political landscape, the health care industry is adapting to fiscal realities that appear to be here to stay."

To view a summary of the report, or purchase a copy of the full report, visit ACO.LeavittPartners.com or contact ACO@LeavittPartners.com. Interested readers may also reach Leavitt Partners at 801-538-5082.

About Leavitt Partners
Leavitt Partners is a health care intelligence business. The firm delivers collaborative, high-value intelligence that helps clients transition to new models of care. Through its member-based collaboration called Health Intelligence Partners™ and direct services to clients, the consulting firm provides the best available window to the future of American health care. For more information visit LeavittPartners.com or call (801) 538-5082.

About KLAS Research
KLAS is a research firm on a global mission to improve health care delivery by enabling providers to be heard and counted. Working with thousands of health care executives and clinicians, KLAS gathers data on software, services, medical equipment, and infrastructure systems to deliver timely reports, trends, and statistical overviews. The research directly represents the provider voice and acts as a catalyst for improving vendor performance. KLAS was founded in 1996, and the staff and advisory board average 25 years of health care information technology experience. For more information visit KlasResearch.com.

Contact: Natalie Gochnour
801-509-1198
natalie@LeavittPartners.com

SOURCE Leavitt Partners