Health care ‘pioneer’ : Beacon Health ACO tackles health care’s ‘triple arm’ aim

A pilot program launched in 2012 by Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems to improve patient care while reducing costs for Medicare patients has expanded into a statewide network that also includes patients and self-insured employers. EMHS’s Beacon Health Accountable Care Organization is one of 32 Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations selected nationwide by the federal centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In the fall of 2014, Beacon Health joined with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine and became Maine’s largest commercial ACO. Their goal is tri-fold: improving patient’ health, enhancing their experience of care, and reducing overall costs. While the ACO model has not been universally adopted, their “value-based care delivery model” is gaining momentum. Beacon Health has received many accolades, however its cost of care is still above the baseline set by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is believed it was Beacon Health’s expansion throughout the state that lead to this, but expects in this next year to break even