Quality Initiatives
At Ascent Healthcare, we prioritize the quality of care we provide. Our commitment to quality is evident through our participation in a Medicare Shared Savings Program, which focuses on impactful patient care in the post-acute space. We analyze data from Electronic Health Records (EHR) to ensure our providers meet these initiatives and uphold Ascent Healthcare’s high standards.
What is an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)?
As part of our commitment to quality, we participate in a Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) comprises a network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who work together to provide coordinated, high-quality care to patients. ACOs are designed to improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs by promoting care coordination, preventing unnecessary services, and enhancing patient engagement.
MSSP: Medicare Shared Savings Program
The MSSP emphasizes:
- Quality Care: Coordinated services aim to deliver the right care at the right time.
- Cost Efficiency: ACOs work to avoid unnecessary services and medical errors.
- Collaboration: Providers collaborate to strengthen community health and ensure comprehensive patient care.
Improved Patient Care through ACO Participation
When patients engage with an MSSP ACO, they benefit in several ways:
- Reduced Repeat Tests: Patients undergo fewer unnecessary medical procedures or tests.
- Comprehensive Treatment Plans: Clinicians integrate the patient’s entire health history into care, ensuring seamless coordination among healthcare providers.
- Enhanced Communication: Effective collaboration between doctors and healthcare professionals improves long-term patient health and prevents serious health issues or hospitalizations.
- Focus on Outcomes: MSSP ACOs aim for high-quality, coordinated care that enhances patient outcomes while reducing overall Medicare spending.
Financial Incentives for Quality Care
ACOs that deliver exceptional care can share in the savings they generate for Medicare. If ACOs provide fragmented care that increases costs, they may face penalties. The financial rewards received by ACOs are reinvested into patient care services or shared with participating healthcare providers.
Your Medicare Rights
It’s important to note that an ACO is not an insurance plan. Patients with Original Medicare who use doctors participating in an ACO retain all rights under Medicare, including the freedom to see any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. Patients can also choose to opt out of allowing Medicare to share certain health information.
At Ascent Healthcare, we are dedicated to improving healthcare quality and accessibility.