AHCA/NCAL represent LTC providers at national ACO summit

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) earlier this week attended the National Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Summit in Washington, D.C., as the “only representatives of long-term care” to discuss implementation of ACOs, according to a release.

“To be called on as a resource for this summit is an honor and an opportunity to learn from other leaders in the healthcare profession,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, in the release. “Skilled nursing facilities are a vital part of the partnership within the healthcare profession.”

Parkinson was a keynote speaker during the Summit on the role of long-term and post-acute care providers in accountable care.

David Gifford, who oversees quality and regulatory affairs at AHCA/NCAL; and Neil Kurtz, president and CEO of AHCA member organization Golden Living, were both featured faculty at the Summit. Gifford served on a panel for the topic of fostering better care coordination, while Kurtz spoke on a panel highlighting healthcare providers who help to support ACOs.

Topics from the Summit included core competencies of successful ACOs, models for ACO implementation and methods for lowering medical costs through payment and care models, according to AHCA/NCAL.

As outlined by the Affordable Care Act, ACOs are intended to create incentives for healthcare providers to work together to treat patients across care settings—including doctor’s offices, hospitals and “other” Medicare providers and suppliers, which could include LTC facilities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid final rules on ACOs are expected this fall.