Innova Primary Care treats the entire individual. For this reason, we are a part of an accountable care organization. We take every aspect of your health well-being into consideration. We know that our patients want collaborative care the exceeds their expectations. Do you feel like navigating healthcare in these times is overwhelming? If so, you are certainly not alone. If you are a patient who visits multiple specialists in conjunction with your primary care provider, this is especially true. How can you be certain that your healthcare team is on the same page? Are you getting the best care at the best possible value? Do your medications interact or unnecessary procedures a part of your protocol? How can you be sure?

Coordination of Care

From primary care to specialty services, coordination of care is essential to optimize your best health.

One term you may have become familiar with is ACO or Accountable Care Organizations. Innova Primary Care in Huntsville, AL is proud to be a part of an ACO in partnership with Crestwood Hospital. Our partnership means that your care is coordinated, collaborative, and you can be confident that your care team is in constant communication about the care you receive.

Accountable Care Organizations come together when healthcare providers voluntarily unite to streamline care to their patients. This coordination of care creates more value for patients and creates a collaborative team to assist with all aspects of care.

With the inception and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Accountable Care Organizations began to form. These organizations became a part of the healthcare system in 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services in order to combat the rising cost of healthcare in America. As of 2018, more than fifty percent of all physicians, primary, specialty, and hospital systems, is now a part of an ACO.

Accountable Care Organization

One way that Innova is assisting our patients is through the use of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

Perhaps you have heard of accountable care organizations in the past and wondered what exactly they are. In short, ACOs are a way for medical providers to provide efficient, valuable, streamlined care that keeps you safe and costs down. The great news is that you do not have to be a Medicare or Medicaid recipient to reap the benefits of an ACO. Any patient that works with an ACO provider automatically reaps the benefits of unified care.

Why? Because all patients benefit from coordination of care. This means higher quality services for you at a lower cost as well.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has created a variety of programs all with the aim of providing better quality care to Medicaid and Medicare recipients. While accountable care organizations can vary in nature, key components are the same: coordination and quality of care, no repetitive testing, prescription management, and value.

Benefits An ACO

Coordination of care

One key factor for better care overall is coordination. When physicians are all on the same page with patient care, there is less chance of overlap, misuse of medications, conflicting treatment protocols, and the like. Unified healthcare means that your care team works together for the benefit of your overall health, and we believe this is a great thing.

Gone are the days when you, the patient, are solely responsible for keeping track of all your medications, treatment protocols, and procedures. Under an ACO your care team works TOGETHER to ensure that the care you receive is streamlined across participants.

Your specialists work with your primary care provider and your team knows your needs.

No Repetitive testing

All too often patients receive requests to have the same tests from multiple providers. This equates to useless spending and unnecessary procedures. Under an ACO, the care team communicates about each of their patients and ensures that repetitive testing and procedures are not recommended. You, in turn, pay less for better care.

Prescription Management

Prescription medications can lead to serious complications. Even when prescription medication is used correctly, there is a risk for hospitalization or adverse reaction. For patients receiving care from multiple physicians, it is vital that all medications be taken into account. There may be interactions that can lead to serious health problems or death.

Again, the continuum of care that an ACO provides for patients means that your physicians are in com about your medications. You are not left in the lurches to do research on potential interactions and side effects. Your team knows what you are taking and works together to find the best treatment protocol for you.

Value

Value is one of the ways that an ACO works for you. Not only is your care streamlined, but your provider is also compensated based on the quality of care they provide and the ways they save money.

Gone are the days when medical practices were rewarded based on the number of patients, they saw each day. Compensation no longer based on the number of visits or tests and procedures

ACOs arose as a way to incentivize health care providers to improve patient care while reducing costs. Now, value and quality are the primary incentives. ACOs who save patients money get to keep a portion of those funds. This equates to value for patients. No longer are you, the patient, responsible for coordinating your own care and deciding whether or not a test is needed.

Your team works TOGETHER

You deserve the best care available at the most reasonable price. The service you receive can make the difference between life and death. Innova Primary Care is proud to be a part of an ACO because this means we can bring the best care to our patients.