What does "accountable care organization" (ACO) refer to in healthcare?

An accountable care organization (ACO) refers to a group of healthcare providers, such as doctors, hospitals, and other clinicians, who come together to give coordinated high-quality care to their patients. The objective of an ACO is to ensure that patients receive appropriate care at the right time while minimizing unnecessary services and avoiding medical errors. By working collaboratively, ACOs aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. This model emphasizes accountability for both the quality and cost of care provided, hence the term "accountable" in ACO.

The focus on cooperation and patient-centered care is paramount in the ACO model, as these groups put systems in place to track patient outcomes and share savings generated from the efficient management of healthcare resources. This approach supports the shift from volume-based care, which incentivizes providers to deliver more services regardless of necessity, to value-based care, which prioritizes quality and efficiency.

The other options do not accurately describe what an ACO entails. For example, the concept of providing insurance coverage for low-income families deals more with financial assistance and public health policy rather than provider coordination. Similarly, a regulatory body that oversees compliance would not engage in direct patient care activities like an ACO. A network of specialists focusing on preventive care