Accountable care organization doesn’t change where local Medicare patients receive care
Gifford Medical Center, along with nearly all of the state’s hospitals, several community health centers and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, is part of a new accountable care organization called OneCare Vermont.
Accountable care organizations were created through the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act to help provide coordinated, high-quality health care to Medicare patients. OneCare is the nation’s first statewide accountable care organization.
Recently OneCare sent a letter and form to patients of participating hospitals and health centers that caused considerable confusion and questions locally. Gifford administrators are striving to alleviate concerns by providing answers to some of the questions asked.
First, OneCare does not in any way change the way patients receive care. Gifford patients receiving the letter still come to Gifford for care and see the health care provider they have always seen. They can still be referred to Dartmouth or Fletcher Allen when needed. Patients Medicare benefits are also unchanged.
The organization is rather part of federal health care reform efforts. It was created to improve the quality of care provided to Medicare patients. This opportunity to improve quality is why Gifford joined the organization.
“Gifford was asked to participate with an intent to collaborate with most other hospitals and practices in order to improve the quality of care for our patients while controlling the costs of health care,” notes Dr. Josh Plavin, a medical director at Gifford.
Gifford didn’t, however, send the letter, see it beforehand or share any patient information that led to its creation.
Included with the letter was a form providing Medicare patients an opportunity to decline to share some of their information with the accountable care organization. Patients can also opt out by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Whether Medicare patients participate or not, there is no direct cost to patients. OneCare, explains Dr. Plavin, is rather supported by a federal grant with the intent that, if health care providers collaborate more closely, quality can be improved and cost savings can be realized, such as through the reduction of duplicated services.
