Why ACOs Must Build Trust with Providers and Patients to Meet Goals

As ACOs develop approaches to Value-Based Health Care, they are struggling with a key issue: lack of trust. How can providers commit to collective cost reductions that could have potentially negative revenue consequences for themselves individually or on their practices? If they don’t believe that the other players or their ACO are operating in the best interests of all involved, how can they participate in the ACO’s goals? Conversely, how can the ACO create effective leadership and collaboration if physicians are unwilling to commit to making the model succeed?

Likewise, ACOs have to work harder to earn patients’ trust. Ask any ACO for their top issues and they’re certain to mention the volume of out-of-ACO services. If consumers do not trust the ACO or its providers, they will not be loyal patients or necessarily follow provider-recommended treatment plans. Successful engagement requires trust.

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