Has the move toward accountable care been successful at controlling costs?

Background Information

Debate Question:This is what a short summary question would look like.

in favor
against

The Medicare system has shown that the 12 “pioneer” accountable care organizations in 2015 saved $37 million and improved their quality scores by more than 21%.

Zetema PanelistZetema Panelist In Favor
  • +1 Good Point

The ACO savings so far can be attributed to targeting easy sources of overuse. Finding more savings will be harder.

Zetema PanelistZetema Panelist Against
  • Good Point +1

Although the cost savings to date have been modest, That was expected due to the investment and learning needed to implement the new approach; the path is being paved for greater savings in the future.

Zetema PanelistZetema Panelist In Favor
  • +1 Good Point

Even the success stories in accountable care have been small. It’s hard to picture this approach making a serious dent in healthcare costs

Zetema PanelistZetema Panelist Against
  • Good Point +1

The ACA included a program to penalize hospitals that don’t reduce the number of inpatients who get readmitted within 30 days. This has led hospitals to do a better job avoiding hospital-acquired infections and keeping track of the patients’ health after they are released.

Zetema PanelistZetema Panelist In Favor
  • +1 Good Point

This also has led to some patients being readmitted just after 30 days, with greater illness than if hospitals had acted more quickly. The hospitals were reluctant to do so due to the penalties they would face.

Zetema PanelistZetema Panelist Against
  • Good Point +1

What do you think?

Has the move toward accountable care been successful at controlling costs?

Has the move toward accountable care been successful at controlling costs?

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