Humana ACO Results Show Improved Population Health

Data analyzed from 2013 on quality, outcomes and cost measures from Humana’s accountable care organization programs for about one million Medicare Advantage members shows a number of measureable improvements, according to the insurer.

Humana compared the measures of ACO patients with members treated in the traditional Medicare Advantage fee-for-service and original Medicare programs. Results show that ACO providers under a value-based reimbursement model had an average HEDIS Star score of 4.25 compared with providers not in an ACO, who averaged 3.65.

Population health improvements included 7 percent less emergency department visits and 4 percent less impatient admissions than among the control groups.

Screening and monitoring of patients also improved, with an 8 percent boost in providing medication reviews for older patients, and higher rates for screening osteoporosis management in women with fractures (16 percent), colorectal cancer screening (7 percent) and adult BMI assessment (5 percent).