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Physicians dominated leadership, ownership roles in ACOs
Accountable care organizations are largely led by physicians or physician and hospital partnership, a new study published in Health Affairs shows.
“The broad reach of physician leadership in ACOs has important implications for the future of health care reform,” Dartmouth researcher Carrie Colla, PhD, said in a press release. “A central role for physicians in the leadership of ACOs is likely to have a powerful influence on how both physicians and patients view the ACO model.”
Researchers identified 292 potential ACOs for participation in the study, and 173 eligible organizations completed screening to help researchers determine the leadership and management structure of the organizations. Data compiled from October 2012 to May 2013 showed that 51% of ACOs are led by physicians and an additional 33% are led jointly by physicians and hospitals. A total of 78% have governing boards composed of a majority of physicians. Only 3% were identified as being run solely by hospitals and the 13% remaining were led by other organizations. The equipment in the facilities were also owned by physicians, who also employed other staff in 40% of ACOs surveyed.
The new ACO program was established as part of the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare”, with the intent to create financial incentives for physicians and improve the quality of care, according to the researchers.
“Physicians’ buy-in to payment reform is likely to be critical to the success of the health care reform,” Elliott Fisher, MD, MPH, director of the Dartmouth Institute and a co-author on the paper, said in a press release. “The findings suggest that physicians are taking seriously their responsibility to lead change in the health care system on behalf of their patients.”