Want to partner with a payor? Lots of them are game make an ACO with you.
We learn through ICD-10 Watch of a HealthEdge survey of payor organizations with several fascinating findings.
First, "only 61 percent of payors believe they will be ready to meet the new ICD-10 compliance deadline." So it's not just coders! And, as this is an executive-level survey, it's not just the folks in the trenches, but also the leaders who expect to caught with their pants down in 2014.
That's ominous. And the way things are going, we doubt anyone in Washington is listening too hard to insurance companies' complaints. But it's nice to know you're not alone, right?
Also of interest: 80% of payors are "evaluating emerging individual exchange opportunities," and 76% are interested in forming an ACO -- a big uptick from last December, when 55% told HealthEdge they were interested in it.
That idea took off quickly: Becker's Hospital Review says the model is gaining adherents among insurers -- for example, earlier this year Cigna formed New York's first payor-doctor ACO with the Weill Cornell Physician Organization, and Cigna says it wants to bring more doctors into the ACO universe.
You can see why: ACOs offer economies of scale for insurers. Joining one might do the same for you -- but you have to keep your eyes open.
As it happens, DecisionHealth and various experts are going to discuss this during our August 15-17 Revenue Cycle Management Conference in Las Vegas, in a panel called "Accountable care organizations: What you really need to know." There's still time to sign up.