Updates

BJC and Saint Luke’s Officially Combine as BJC Health System

BJC Accountable Care Organization

When your doctors can communicate more easily, you’ll receive better care that meets your unique needs. That’s our goal as the first Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in the St. Louis area. We work together with Medicare to provide high-quality service and care at the right time and in the right setting.

Overview

Improving health outcomes and cost savings.

BJC’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is focused on achieving improved patient-centered health outcomes and cost savings by:

  • Improving care coordination and disease coordination for patients

  • Expanding evidence-based care delivery models

  • Developing a structure that provides sharing of cost savings, if any, to ACO participants

If your doctor participates in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), he or she will work closely with other doctors and health care providers to coordinate care for those who have traditional Medicare. If you do not have a primary care doctor, or you want to switch to a doctor in an ACO, you can find one by registering with MyMedicare.gov and choosing a Primary Clinician.

How will an Accountable Care Organization help your doctor coordinate your care?

  • Your doctors will be part of a better coordinated team

  • You may not have to fill out as many medical forms that ask for the same information

  • Each of your doctors will know about your health issues that they have treated, and they will have a more complete picture of your entire health profile by talking with your other doctors

Answers to common questions about ACOs.

An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a group of doctors and other health care providers working together with Medicare to give you better service and care. The goal of an ACO is for your doctors to communicate closely with your other health care providers to deliver high-quality care and meet your individual needs and preferences. The ACO may be rewarded for providing you with high-quality, better coordinated care.

BJC HealthCare was the first in the St. Louis area to become an Accountable Care Organization. BJC has partnered with many physicians and their practices to better coordinate care and improve the health of our community.

When your health care providers have access to your health information and can share that information with one another, they can give you better, more coordinated care. Each of your health care providers will not only know about the health issues that they have treated, they will have a more complete picture of your health through communicating with your other health care providers.

Over time, you should see better, more coordinated health care where you are the center of care and your satisfaction is a goal of the ACO. You may notice that: 

  • You don't have to fill out as many medical forms that ask for the same information 

  • The health care providers that you see all know what is going on with your health because they communicate with each other 

  • You don't have to have the same medical tests done over and over because your results are shared among your health care team 

  • The providers participating in the ACO will become partners with you in making care decisions 

Here are things that won't change because your doctor is part of an ACO: 

  • What you pay, your Medicare benefits or the cost of your coverage should not increase 

  • Your right to choose any hospital or doctor that accepts Medicare, at any time, will not change even if that hospital or doctor is not part of an ACO

Some doctor practices may have people that will check on your care. They may call you after an appointment or a procedure to make sure you understand how to take your medicines or schedule follow-up visits. They will also share information with your doctor to make sure you get the right care.

Absolutely. If your doctor participates in an ACO, you can see any health care provider who accepts Medicare. Nobody – not your doctor, not your hospital – can tell you who you have to see. If you wish to do so, Medicare makes it easy to select your Primary Clinician and  Voluntarily Align with an ACO.

No. An ACO is a group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who work together to provide you with better, more coordinated care. Doctors and hospitals in an ACO communicate with you and with each other to make sure that you get the care you need when you are sick, and the support you need to stay healthy and well.

An ACO isn't an HMO, managed care or insurance company. Unlike HMOs, managed care or some insurance plans, an ACO can't tell you which health care providers to see and can't change your Medicare benefits. If your doctor participates in a Medicare ACO, you always have the right to choose any doctor or hospital who accepts Medicare at any time. 

When your doctor is participating in the BJC Accountable Care Organization, you will be notified. This will be done by letter, written information provided to you when you see your doctor, a sign posted in your doctor's office, and will be discussed with you at your next visit. If you aren't sure if your doctor or health care provider is participating in a Medicare ACO, ask him or her.

For general information on ACOs, call toll-free 800.MEDICARE (800-633-4227) 24 hours a day/7 days a week. TTY users should call toll-free (877) 486-2048.

You will continue to receive the same rights enjoyed by all people with Medicare. To help you to get the best-coordinated care, Medicare will share information about your medical information with your doctor, including medical conditions, prescriptions and visits to the doctor. This is important to help the ACO keep up with your medical needs and track how well the ACO is doing to keep you healthy and helping you get the right care. 

Your privacy is very important to us. You can tell Medicare not to give your doctor’s ACO information that your doctor needs to coordinate your care by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call (877) 486-2048. Unless you take this step, your medical information will be shared automatically with your doctor’s ACO for purposes of care coordination and quality improvement. Medicare won't share information about anyone who has ever received treatment for alcohol or substance abuse without written permission. 

Medicare will also be following up with people with Medicare to ask about your experiences as a patient of a doctor who is participating in a Medicare ACO. As time gets closer, you will get a letter to let you know the survey is genuine. Medicare will use your feedback to help make sure you get high-quality care. 

The group of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers working together in the BJC Accountable Care Organization will be able to read your medical records, along with other office staff authorized to help coordinate your care. The privacy and security of your medical information is protected by federal law. Contact your doctor's office for more information about how they protect your medical information, or call toll-free 800.MEDICARE (800-633-4227) 24 hours a day/7 days a week. TTY users should call toll-free (877) 486-2048.

For more information about ACOs, you can:  

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