Benefits of an ACO
United Medical Accountable Care Organization (UMACO) providers work together to ensure that you get the
right care, at the right time and in the most appropriate setting to ensure a healthier you.
What does it mean for me and my family?
Coordinated. Team-based. Value-Conscious Care. Providing you the best possible health care goes beyond routine exams and prescription refills
(see faqs). As we grow older and our health needs grow, we are often required to visit multiple providers and hospitals, carry out multiple tests or fill various prescriptions. Add to this the various stresses of daily living that can impact our ability to get well and stay well.
In response to this, Medicare is working with your health care providers to promote better, more coordinated health care. United Medical has created a team-based approach to medicine known as an
Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
Our Care Coordinators seek to build upon the working relationships between our
ACO participants and with other providers in the service area, to promote continuity of services —
without unnecessary duplication of care.
Medicare Beneficiary FAQs
 |
What is an ACO?
An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a group of doctors and other healthcare providers who agree to work together with Medicare to give you the best possible care. ACOs may take different approaches to giving you coordinated care. Some ACOs may have special nurses that help you set up appointments or make sure your medications are in order when you enter or leave a hospital. Other ACOs may help your doctors get you equipment for monitoring your medical conditions better at home, if necessary. Most ACOs use advanced systems that let them more carefully coordinate your care, and make sure your doctor has the most up-to-date information about your health.
The goal of the ACO is to support your doctor in caring for you by making sure they have the most up-to-date information about your health and your care. For you, this means your doctors communicate better with each other, and you avoid having duplicate tests or answering the same questions over and over. Working together, your doctors can do more to follow your health, make sure you get the best possible care, and may hire additional staff to help meet your unique care needs, depending on what works best for you.
Doctors and other healthcare providers choose to participate in an ACO because they’re committed to providing you with a better care experience. They may also be financially rewarded for offering you better, more coordinated care. If your doctor chooses to participate in an ACO, you’ll see a poster with information displayed in the office or hospital.
|
|
|
How do I know if my doctor is participating in an ACO?
If your doctor is participating in an ACO, you’ll see a poster with information about your doctor’s participation displayed in the office or hospital.
|
|
|
Do I have to participate in an ACO since my doctor is?
Only your doctor can participate in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). As the patient, you do not participate in the ACO.
You still have the right to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, at any time.
You can continue getting care from your doctor. Or, you can choose to see a doctor who doesn’t participate in an ACO.
|
|
|
Can I still see all of my regular Medicare doctors and healthcare providers even though my doctor participates in an ACO?
Yes, that doesn’t change. Always keep in mind that:
- You can still go to any doctor, hospital, or other provider that accepts Medicare. Nobody can restrict which providers you see.
- You’re still in Original Medicare.
- You’re still entitled to all the same Medicare services, benefits, and protections.
|
|
Can I still choose to receive services from any new doctor, hospital or healthcare provider that I want to, even though my doctor is participating in an ACO?
You can still choose to go to any doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. Nobody – not even your doctor – can prevent you from seeing the doctors, hospitals or providers you want.
|
|
|
What information about me will the ACO have access to?
To help doctors who participate in an ACO give patients like you the best possible care, Medicare wants to share some additional information about your care with the ACO. This information includes things like doctor, hospital, and pharmacy visits in the past and moving forward. Your health care information helps the ACO track the services you’ve already gotten, understand where you may need more care, and find ways to smooth the path for you if you have to transfer in or out of a hospital, or from the care of one doctor to another. If you do not want Medicare to share your health care information with the ACO, you can call 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Tell the operator you’re calling about ACOs and you don’t want to share your health care information with an ACO.
|
|
|
How can I decline to have my health care information shared?
|
|
|
What if I change my mind and decide that I do want to share my health care information in the future?
|
|
|
What if I’m already happy with my care the way it is?
We’re glad you’re having a positive experience already. Even though your provider is participating in an ACO, you’ll continue to receive the same care. Your doctor's participation in an ACO doesn’t change your benefits in any way, and decisions about your care stay with you and your doctor.
|
|
|
How will being in an ACO help my doctor?
Being part of an ACO empowers providers to work with health plans and other healthcare providers to reduce healthcare costs by keeping the focus on the quality of patient care, leveraging technology and coordinating care across all settings.
|
UM PowerChart
TOP