WEDI’s Accountable Care Organization Taskforce Releases ACO Issue Brief

wedi-logoFundamentals of Accountable Care Organizations Issue Brief outlines core attributes of emerging payment model

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), the nation’s leading nonprofit authority on the use of health IT to create efficiencies in healthcare information exchange, announced the release of a public issue brief on “The Fundamentals of Accountable Care Organizations.”

The ACO Issue Brief was developed by the Accountable Care Organization Taskforce, which is part of WEDI’s Payment Models Workgroup. The brief describes the basic structure, operation, and activities of ACOs, and outlines some of the key issues and questions that the workgroup will tackle. In addition, the brief examines the areas of:

  • Landscape of Accountable Care;
  • Organization, Risk and Financial Management Structure;
  • Population Health Management;
  • Health IT Infrastructure; and
  • Data Measurement, Reporting and Analytics.

“It’s clear that the U.S. healthcare system is rapidly evolving into a more integrated, patient-centered paradigm focused on value – rather than volume – of care,” said Devin Jopp, Ed.D, president and CEO of WEDI. “Today, the issue is not ‘how do we get to this model’ but more of ‘how do we sustain this model.’ WEDI is committed to leading industry efforts in ensuring the new payment models are effectively leveraging appropriate technology resources and processes to ensure the greatest efficiencies.”

WEDI convenes the multi-stakeholder Payment Models Workgroup to create a framework of the core attributes of new payment models, identify key barriers and best practices, and develop solutions that foster adoption, implementation, and sustainability. The workgroup also works to identify technologies that can mitigate barriers to implementation and sustainability.

WEDI has made available an ongoing survey for ACOs to help monitor progress and evaluate common practices, challenges and opportunities. All related organizations are encouraged to participate. Additionally, in follow-up to the ACO Issue Brief, the ACO Taskforce will develop additional papers to provide further perspective and overview of issues encountered, such as contracting and quality measurement and alignment.

About WEDI

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) is the leading authority on the use of health IT to improve healthcare information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs of our nation’s healthcare system. WEDI was formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was designated in the 1996 HIPAA legislation as an advisor to HHS. WEDI’s membership includes a broad coalition of organizations, including: hospitals, providers, health plans, vendors, government agencies, consumers, not-for-profit organizations, and standards development organizations. To learn more, visit our website and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.