Which helps physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers work together to improve care for people with Medicare?

The correct answer, ACO, stands for Accountable Care Organization. ACOs are designed to foster collaboration among physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to enhance the quality of care for patients, particularly those enrolled in Medicare. The goal of an ACO is to create a coordinated care environment that leads to improved health outcomes and reduces unnecessary spending.

ACOs operate under a principle of shared savings, where the participating providers work together to provide high-quality care while managing costs. When they successfully improve care and lower costs, they share in the savings with Medicare. This model encourages providers to focus on patient-centered care, as they need to coordinate services and share information to achieve the best outcomes.

The other options, while relevant to the healthcare system, serve different purposes. A Third Party Administrator (TPA) primarily manages health plans but does not specifically focus on care improvement for Medicare patients. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) relate to the regulation of laboratory testing, ensuring quality and safety, but do not directly influence care coordination. Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare delivered to Medicare beneficiaries, but they operate in a different capacity than ACOs, focusing primarily on quality assessment and refinement rather