The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the second toolkit in a series that provide ideas and strategies that promote value-based care in current and prospective Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Based on interviews and focus groups with rural and urban providers, this toolkit highlights how ACOs can better engage with beneficiaries, including beneficiary participation on governance boards, enhanced communication in the clinical setting, and additional support for self-care management. Three new case studies also highlight ACO approaches to advance care planning, provider engagement, and communicating to providers the “three day rule” waiver for skilled nursing facilities. Rural provider participation in ACOs has been increasing in recent years.
