Publications

Accountable Care Organizations in Pediatrics: Irrelevant or a Game Changer for Children?

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JAMA Pediatrics

Volume, Issue, Pages: 167(6):507-8
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.105
Date published: June 2013
Authors: Charles J Homer, Kavita K Patel
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Abstract

The term accountable care organization (ACO) is the new buzzword in health care. Enshrined in the Affordable Care Act as well as being advanced by private payers, ACOs are becoming real in adult health care systems and are starting to appear in pediatrics. (Indeed, the Affordable Care Act calls for the establishment of a pediatric demonstration project, although the specified starting time for the project [June 2012] has passed without any guidance from the US Department of Health and Human Services.) But, what is an ACO? What does it intend to accomplish? Is it relevant for child health and health care? What concerns need to be addressed for ACOs to benefit children?