Accountable Care Organizations or ACO are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that work together to hold the healthcare system accountable for their actions. As facilities have implemented electronic health records (EHRs) and have provided what is thought to be meaningful data, support has been needed at a facility level to obtain incentives and meet expected thresholds. In come the ACOs and Regional Extension Centers (RECs).

In April 2017, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) published a case study, “Methods Used by Regional Extension Centers (RECs) to support Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs); Two Case Studies” provided here: https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/aco_casestudyopro2017.pdf

After reading the attached:

· Identify the (2) different entities conducting this study

· Explain the difference in approach each group took to achieve results

· Distinguish the different approaches that were used to make each study successful

· In your own opinion, explain whether or not the approach (one or the other that you identify), will work long term for the healthcare industry in that region and/or as a nationwide initiative