What is a key characteristic of accountable care models?

A key characteristic of accountable care models is their emphasis on efficiency and care coordination. These models aim to improve health outcomes by integrating care across different services and providers, ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time. This coordination helps to streamline processes, reduce redundancies, and avoid unnecessary tests or procedures, which can lead to better overall health outcomes while also controlling costs.

In accountable care models, healthcare providers work collaboratively to manage a population's health, with incentives aligned to improve quality and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. This approach directly contrasts with traditional models that might focus more on the volume of services provided rather than patient outcomes.

Overall, the focus on efficiency and care coordination is fundamental to ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care within a healthcare system, which serves to enhance the patient experience and outcomes, rather than solely prioritizing profit or inpatient services.