The ACO Visit – AllCare Health Alliance Commitment to Patient Well-Being
Posted by John F. Robertson, Jr., MD on December 8, 2017
Outlining the theory behind the ACO visit and its importance to our patients and providers.
The ACO visit is an opportunity to lay the foundation of a strong patient-physician partnership and to ensure our patients get the excellent quality of care that Cooper University HealthCare and AllCare Health Alliance stand for.
The ACO visit refers to the annual examination that each member of AllCare Health Alliance should receive (similar to all other Medicare patients).
With that in mind, and as a provider, I would like to share my theory on the ACO visit:
- It is dedicated time to make sure that your patient’s complexity is properly documented. We have all heard about the HCC diagnoses codes, and understand their importance in the world of clinical documentation. The ACO visit is a once yearly reminder to get them all on the chart so you are properly recognized for the complexity of care you provide.
- It is a chance to make sure that your patient is receiving all the care they require. Gaps in care (missing Mammograms, Colonoscopies, flu shots, etc…) are big, flashing red lights for us as providers and Cooper as an institution. The ACO visit is a chance to close as many of them as possible.
- It is an opportunity to foster the doctor-patient relationship. We all get so busy that sometimes we miss the chance to talk to patients about lingering concerns or conditions. The extended time of the ACO visit gives us the time to have that discussion and improve the patient/provider experience of care.
With EPIC upgrade there is now an “ACO Dashboard” to allow you to see your individual metrics; I have found it an invaluable resource and would encourage you all to review it regularly.
