ACOs serve 14% of Americans, consultants report

More than half of the U.S. population live in localities served by accountable care organizations (ACOs), and almost 30% live in areas served by two or more, according to the consulting firm Oliver Wyman. The firm analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ latest class of ACOs approved to participate in Medicare ACO programs.

“It’s hard to know precisely how many people served by ACOs are currently cared for under true fee-for-value contracts,” says Rick Weil, a partner at Oliver Wyman who has worked extensively in creating ACOs.

“Most ACOs today are still mixed models, with some patients being served through ACO-style or capitated contracts and some through more traditional fee-for-service contracts,” he adds. “It can take several years to shift an entire population from one model to another. But that total number of patients served by these mixed organizations is still important.”