Tag: aco

Accountable Care Organizations were supposed to reduce healthcare costs and maintain profits for health care organizations. Why did Dartmouth College end its ACO program?

Accountable Care Organizations were supposed to reduce healthcare costs and maintain profits for health care organizations. Why did Dartmouth College end its ACO program? Accountable Care Organizations (ACO’s) were one of the big ideas designed to reduce healthcare costs under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.   While Obamacare has succeeded with increasing enrollment in Medicaid for the poor through the exchanges, and ultimately reduce the amount of uninsured patients, it also set up guidelines for what would be covered and what would not for those who participated. ACO’s and Medical Homes  were in theory going to reduce costs by helping doctors communicate Read More »

Medicare Advantage part C plans vs. Medicare and a supplement; buyer beware.

Medicare Advantage part C plans vs. Medicare and a supplement; buyer beware. You have finally reached the age of 65 and are now enrolled in Medicare; is there a better option? Medicare was developed in 1965 and signed into law by Lyndon B Johnson as a way to help pay for the medical needs of those reaching retirement age as well as those with disabilities. Medicare Part A is free and is designed to cover hospital stays over 72 hours as well as some skilled nursing care. Medicare Part B is not free, but the monthly premium is subsidized and Read More »