04/26/2025
Our experience with clinics and P*P practices that are part of Accountable Care Organizations or ACOs (Boston, MA area) has been largely negative. For example, this status can result in your doctor being unwilling to order tests for you that he/she might have otherwise viewed as necessary b/c physicians who work for an ACO can be penalized if they go "over budget" per patient.
Perhaps ACOs would work in a highly organized environment in which P*Ps and specialists communicated often and easily. However, even within a singular hospital environment, this level of communication and organization is not the norm in Boston.
If you see physicians in an ACO, please realize that you will be even less likely than before to receive the best healthcare possible. Be prepared for a fight if a doctor steers you away from having tests or lab work done that you believe you need. Research your symptoms ahead of your doctors' visits and be ready to ask for what you need and state why you believe you need it. Don't accept "no" for an answer, either. Don't be a silent patient or an "easy-going" patient: these are the same patients who often end up harmed in some way or worse.
Let us know if you need help navigating ACOs or want more information on what it means for you and your heallthcare if your doctor(s) inform you that he/she/ they are now working for an ACO.
