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More than a decade after accountable care organizations launched, healthcare systems are still eager to bring more skilled nursing operators into the fold, according to several acute-care speakers at the National Association of ACOs Fall Conference being held in Washington, DC, this week.
Financial incentives for nursing homes to sign on to ACOs not led by post-acute groups have always been dubious, but shifting demographics and recent federal policy changes that require even more cross-sector collaboration finally force more systems to examine their approaches.
The payoff could be more ACO-provided services, support for staff, and, potentially, a share of payments, for skilled nursing providers that help meet care coordination and cost-saving goals.
Alex Brennsteiner, interim director of Allegheny Health Network in Western Pennsylvania, said his organization has spent years building its network and identifying partners’ clinical strengths to improve referrals and through-put.