[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":890,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"Medicare accountable care organizations were able to better coordinate patient care thanks to their use of health information technology tools.

The HHS Office of Inspector General conducted onsite interviews at six Medicare ACOs\u2014four were Next Generation ACOs and two participated in the Medicare Shared Savings Program\u2014that included discussions with administrative staff and providers.

\u201cACOs that used a single electronic health record system across their provider networks were able to share data in real time,\u201d states the OIG\u2019s report<\/a>. \u201cA small number of ACOs had access to robust health information exchanges, which gave ACOs access to patient data even when patients saw providers outside the ACOs\u2019 networks. Most of the ACOs we visited use data analytics to inform their care coordination by identifying and grouping patients according to the potential severity and cost of their health conditions.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: Medicare ACO care coordination toolkit highlights value of health IT<\/a>

While the OIG concluded that the ACOs \u201chave used health IT to aid in care coordination in a variety of ways,\u201d auditors also noted that the full potential of HIT has not yet been realized.

\u201cACOs vary in the extent to which they can rely on health IT tools,\u201d according to the report. \u201cThe Department of Health and Human Services has promoted the use of these tools for the promise they hold to help patients achieve better outcomes at lower costs. This work showcases some of the advances ACOs have made as well as challenges that remain for fulfilling that promise.\u201d

Among the challenges for ACOs highlighted in the OIG's report:

ACOs using multiple EHR systems had to rely on other means to share data between providers, such as phone calls and faxes.
<\/li>
The organizations faced challenges from physician burnout because of the workload of managing EHRs.
<\/li>
Most of the ACOs had access to HIEs with little or incomplete data, making it difficult to coordinate care when patients saw providers outside the ACOs\u2019 networks.
<\/li>
Few of the ACOs use analytics to customize care to an individual patient's needs.
<\/li><\/ul>","saveContent":"Medicare accountable care organizations were able to better coordinate patient care thanks to their use of health information technology tools.

The HHS Office of Inspector General conducted onsite interviews at six Medicare ACOs\u2014four were Next Generation ACOs and two participated in the Medicare Shared Savings Program\u2014that included discussions with administrative staff and providers.

\u201cACOs that used a single electronic health record system across their provider networks were able to share data in real time,\u201d states the OIG\u2019s report<\/a>. \u201cA small number of ACOs had access to robust health information exchanges, which gave ACOs access to patient data even when patients saw providers outside the ACOs\u2019 networks. Most of the ACOs we visited use data analytics to inform their care coordination by identifying and grouping patients according to the potential severity and cost of their health conditions.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: Medicare ACO care coordination toolkit highlights value of health IT<\/a>

While the OIG concluded that the ACOs \u201chave used health IT to aid in care coordination in a variety of ways,\u201d auditors also noted that the full potential of HIT has not yet been realized.

\u201cACOs vary in the extent to which they can rely on health IT tools,\u201d according to the report. \u201cThe Department of Health and Human Services has promoted the use of these tools for the promise they hold to help patients achieve better outcomes at lower costs. This work showcases some of the advances ACOs have made as well as challenges that remain for fulfilling that promise.\u201d

Among the challenges for ACOs highlighted in the OIG's report:

ACOs using multiple EHR systems had to rely on other means to share data between providers, such as phone calls and faxes.
<\/li>
The organizations faced challenges from physician burnout because of the workload of managing EHRs.
<\/li>
Most of the ACOs had access to HIEs with little or incomplete data, making it difficult to coordinate care when patients saw providers outside the ACOs\u2019 networks.
<\/li>
Few of the ACOs use analytics to customize care to an individual patient's needs.
<\/li><\/ul>","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

OIG: Health IT brings both benefits, challenges to Medicare ACOs

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