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Can Accountable Care Organizations Improve the Value of Health Care by Solving the Cost and Quality Quandaries? (Policy Briefs/Timely Analysis of Health Policy Issues)
Kelly Devers, Robert A. Berenson

Experts agree that the way health care is currently paid for in the United States, especially in the traditional, fee-for-service Medicare program, does not support coordinated care that is high quality and cost-efficient. To address these problems, policy-makers are taking a close look at accountable care organizations (ACOs). This policy brief explores what ACO are, how they compare to previous reform concepts such as Health Maintenance Organizations and Provider Sponsored Organizations, key design and implementation issues, and opportunities and challenges. The authors conclude that ACOs are no real game changers in the short term, but are nevertheless important to try.

Posted to Web: November 05, 2009Publication Date: October 01, 2009

Can Accountable Care Organizations Improve the Value of Health Care by Solving the Cost and Quality Quandaries? - Summary (Summary)
Robert A. Berenson, Kelly Devers

Experts agree that the way health care is currently paid for in the United States, especially in the traditional, fee-for-service Medicare program, does not support coordinated care that is high quality and cost-efficient. To address these problems, policy-makers are taking a close look at accountable care organizations (ACOs). This policy brief explores what ACO are, how they compare to previous reform concepts such as Health Maintenance Organizations and Provider Sponsored Organizations, key design and implementation issues, and opportunities and challenges. The authors conclude that ACOs are no real game changers in the short term, but are nevertheless important to try.

Posted to Web: November 05, 2009Publication Date: October 01, 2009

Estimating the Cost of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (Policy Briefs/Health Policy Briefs)
Timothy Waidmann

This analysis estimates cost burdens of racial and ethnic disparities in a select set of preventable diseases including diabetes, hypertension and stroke. Excess rates of these diseases among African Americans and Latinos relative to whites will cost the health care system $23.9 billion dollars in 2009. Medicare alone will spend an extra $15.6 billion, and private insurers will spend an extra $5.1 billion. Over the next decade, the total cost is approximately $337 billion. Left unchecked, these annual costs will more than double by 2050 as the representation of Latinos and African Americans among the elderly increases.

Posted to Web: September 22, 2009Publication Date: September 22, 2009

Structuring, Financing and Paying for Effective Chronic Care Coordination (Discussion Papers)
Robert A. Berenson, Julianne Howell

Growing evidence demonstrates that certain approaches to financing and paying for chronic care coordination for patients are effective not only for improving patient well-being but can also reduce health care spending. However, chronic care approaches should vary for different patient populations and can be carried out effectively by diverse organizations and professionals reflecting the heterogeneity of health care delivery throughout the US. The Report considers the different populations in need of care coordination, summarizes current evidence of effectiveness, describes the various entities that can serve as focal points for coordinating care, and details the possible financing and payment options that can support these approaches.

Posted to Web: September 11, 2009Publication Date: July 01, 2009

Health Care Town Hall Debating Points (Fact Sheet / Data at a Glance)
Robert A. Berenson, Linda J. Blumberg, Randall R. Bovbjerg, Allison Cook, Bowen Garrett, Irene Headen, John Holahan, Aaron Lucas, Timothy Waidmann, Aimee Williams

Emotions are flaring as constituents speak their minds to members of Congress home for August recess. That's to be expected, since health care is both a personal and public issue, but let's not forget to debate the basics:

Posted to Web: August 07, 2009Publication Date: August 07, 2009

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