The World Congress Leadership Summit on Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) will convene providers and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for integrating and participating in an Accountable Care Organization framework on a local level that offers shared savings payments for improving the quality of care and costs. Real-world, case study examples of organizationscurrently participating in ACO pilots will be featured on the agenda and the...

On January 3, 2011, the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Registration and Attestation System portal went live, a major milestone in the government’s timeline to incentivize providers to demonstrate the “meaningful use” of certified EHRs to improve care delivery and for the exchange of information. Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria have been published and Stages 2 and 3 requirements are currently open for debate. The...

Complex and costly mandates and compliance standards are coming down the pike fast and furious! Health plan and providers must be prepared for more frequent and complex regulatory changes with a near continuous focus on compliance and standardization. These “waves of reform” will occur over the next 3-5 years and biannually after that. These reform mandates will be very costly and are often distractions from core business. Health p...