Michigan ACO Expands, Doubles in Size

More than 2,900 Michigan doctors have joined POM ACO, a joint venture of the U-M Health System and eight other physician groups that started in 2013. The move more than doubles the size of the ACO.

The new members include physicians from groups that had not previously taken part in an ACO—including MidMichigan Health, which is affiliated with UMHS. Those joining the initiative include the 1,700 physicians of the University of Michigan Medical School’s Faculty Group Practice, and nearly 900 other U-M Health System healthcare providers. Now, they and others have joined up with the 1,900 previously existing members of POM ACO, which stands for the Physician Organization of Michigan ACO, LLC.

In all, POM ACO now includes 5,700 providers from 12 physician groups based in 22 counties. Together, they will be responsible for improving the care and health of more than 120,000 Michigan residents covered by Medicare.

Previously, the U-M physicians and several hundred others from the IHA group in Washtenaw County succeeded in curbing costs while improving quality through a Pioneer ACO. And before that, the U-M physician group showed the power of the ACO model through a five-year Medicare demonstration project that saved Medicare millions and improved the quality of care, its officials say.

“Our commitment to improving the health of individuals and populations, and containing the growth of healthcare costs, grows even stronger with this transition, and we’re glad to be joined by so many like-minded physicians and providers across the state," David Spahlinger, M.D., executive director of the U-M Faculty Group Practice and chair of the POM ACO board, said in a statement. “By working together to share information, best practices and ideas, we will continue to help improve traditional Medicare.”

Read the source article at UofMHealth homepage