Healthcare Trends and Forecasts in 2014: Expect Surge in Commercial ACOs to Continue

Summary: Despite the migration of some Pioneer ACOs to CMS's Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), expect the surge in commercial accountable care organizations to continue in 2014, predicts Steven Valentine, president, The Camden Group. In this audio interview, Valentine suggests improvements to patient handoffs, an area in which ACOs have disappointed, in Valentine's view, as well as expectations for the other much-modeled care delivery platform, the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). In both the ACO and the PCMH, Valentine anticipates specialists will be critical parts of the solution, especially when it comes to emerging payment models, quality and performance. Steven Valentine and Catherine Sreckovich, managing director, healthcare, Navigant, provided a roadmap to the key issues, challenges and opportunities for healthcare providers and payors in 2014 during an October 30, 2013 webinar, "Healthcare Trends and Forecasts in 2014: A Strategic Planning Session."