States move forward with unique ACO models for Medicaid

Healthcare's difficult times call for bold steps in value strategies, such as patient-centered medical homes, shared-savings and others. Several states have designed unique efforts to drive value with Medicaid ACOs. Some models leverage the knowledge and infrastructure that managed care organizations have amassed in serving diverse patient populations, while others use consortiums of providers or some combination of payer and provider groups. Colorado and Oregon are developing hybrid payer/provider-led programs, while Minnesota has a combination of governance. Utah is exploring the payer-led model for its program in four populous counties around Salt Lake City. Oregon is the first state to place its entire Medicaid population into a coordinated care model, under a federal waiver. New Jersey legislators had to change the law to allow Medicaid ACOs, says Jeffrey Brenner, executive director of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers. However, ACOs, medical homes and similar models have largely unproven track records.