How to explain ACO to patients?


Editorial team Published on

An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a team of doctors, hospitals, and health care providers who work together to coordinate your medical care.

Key Points to Tell Patients

  • It is not an insurance plan: An ACO does not change your health insurance, your Medicare benefits, or your out-of-pocket costs.
  • You keep your freedom of choice: You can still see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts your insurance. You are never locked into a closed network just because your provider is in an ACO.
  • Better teamwork and communication: Your primary care doctor, specialists, and hospital team share information and communicate so everyone is on the same page about your health.
  • Less hassle and fewer duplicates: Coordinated care helps prevent duplicate medical tests, unneeded emergency room visits, and conflicting prescriptions.
  • Focus on staying healthy: The goal is to help you manage chronic conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure) and stay up to date on preventive care and checkups.

Simple Script You Can Use

*"We work as part of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). That just means our doctors, local specialists, and hospital work closely together to coordinate your care.

It doesn’t change your insurance, it doesn't cost you anything extra, and you can still see any doctor you want. It simply helps us share your medical info faster so you get safer, more organized care."*