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Significant differences in maternal health outcomes were found in the Massachusetts Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) program based on the ACO’s organizational structure, according to a recent investigation published in JAMA Network Open.1
The study analyzed 2 distinct models implemented by the state in 2018: model A, a partnership between a health system and a managed care organization (MCO), and model B, which was primarily led by a primary care practice (PCP).
The researchers focused on the period between 2014 and 2020, analyzing Massachusetts All Payer Claims Database data for 67,204 Medicaid-covered deliveries (mean maternal age, 28.1 years). The objective was to estimate the differential association between these Medicaid ACO model designs—model A vs model B vs a non-ACO control group—and 6 key maternal health measures for quality of care, including severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and preterm birth.