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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Project Examples: Accountable Care Organizations

Other Project Examples

Beacon Health Accountable Care Organization
Updated/reviewed October 2022
  • Need: To implement coordinated healthcare to improve patient health and engagement and to reduce the overall cost of medical services in Maine.
  • Intervention: The Beacon Health network launched with a focus on patient-centered care to improve overall wellness and reduce ever-increasing healthcare costs.
  • Results: Through care coordination, Beacon Health is enhancing provider efficiency and a team approach to delivering care, leading to improved patient engagement and healthcare quality and lowering the overall cost of care.
funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Community Care Partnership of Maine Accountable Care Organization
Updated/reviewed March 2022
  • Need: To increase access and quality of care for Medicare, Medicaid, uninsured, and commercial patients in rural Maine.
  • Intervention: Community hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Maine formed the Community Care Partnership of Maine Accountable Care Organization (CCPM ACO).
  • Results: CCPM serves about 100,000 patients in Maine. In addition, it implemented ACO shared savings plans with Maine Medicaid, Medicare, and five commercial health insurance and Medicare Advantage plans in the state.
Trinity Pioneer ACO
Updated/reviewed December 2019
  • Need: Transitioning from fee-for-service models to valued-based payment models in rural Iowa.
  • Intervention: In 2011, the Trinity ACO was formed in rural Iowa after being selected by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation as 1 of the 32 planned Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations.
  • Results: Now part of the Next Generation ACO, Trinity continues to bring attention to rural-specific organizations using its focus on palliative medicine and effective strategies to distribute value-based services.
funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy The Community Care Alliance
Updated/reviewed December 2018
  • Need: Rural healthcare networks in Colorado and Washington felt the urgency to help their communities improve population health with better care at lower cost.
  • Intervention: The Community Care Alliance was formed to serve rural patient populations by assisting their healthcare organizations in transforming their practices to succeed at value-based reimbursement.
  • Results: Member healthcare communities have seen an increased collaboration among independent providers, clinics, and local hospitals on community health initiatives, patient transfers, and appropriate access and education.