Loosely defined, an ACO is a collaboration of health care providers who accept responsibility for the costs, quality, and effectiveness of care delivered to a defined patient population. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will launch the ACO model as a voluntary program no later than January 2012. And although ACO regulations have not been finalized, many hospitals and physicians are rushing to form collaborations – worried they'll be locked out of the market as ACOs expand beyond Medicare. TMA will conduct a free webinar update when the rules are finalized.

You may earn 3 hours of continuing medical education credit by attending one of the seminars. Physicians who are insured with the Texas Medical Liability Trust and complete this course will earn a 3-percent discount (not to exceed $1,000), which will be applied to their next eligible policy period.  

TMA does not endorse participation in an ACO or any other postreform program. Physicians are encouraged to be wary, to be informed, and to take the time to learn about these systems, understand their differences, and what they can mean to their practice and their patients.