Survey: ACO growth is slower than anticipated, but steady

Premier's Accountable Care Organization and Population Health Management Trends survey, released last week, points to steady growth of ACOs, although the pace of growth is slower than anticipated. More than 18% of respondents say their hospitals currently participate in an ACO, up from 4.8% in the spring of 2012, according to the report.

Participation is projected to double by the end of 2014 to about 50% of hospitals, and 76.5% of respondents said their hospitals will be a part of an ACO at some point in the future. Large hospitals are moving more quickly, with 30.8% indicating they will be part of an ACO by the end of 2013. Although 80% of smaller organizations are likely to participate in an ACO at some point, many will need more time, with 48.6% planning to join in 2014 or 2015. The lowest rates of projected participation are among rural hospitals (70.7%) and stand-alone hospitals (72.6%).