Accountable Care Organizations

Today’s Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have taken the lead in driving the value-based care model and placing the importance of improving patient outcomes above all else. The Accountable Care Organization Accreditation Program* (ACOAP) from EHNAC strengthens the data exchange platforms that make those clinical successes possible by giving a third-party “stamp of approval” to those ACO stakeholders who have demonstrated the secure management of protected health information (PHI) and can provide assurances to their overall corporate integrity.

ACOAP recognizes excellence on the part of ACOs by assessing network infrastructure and exchange connectivity in the areas of confidentiality and privacy, technology processes, and security. In addition, the accreditation program focuses on technical performance, business processes, and resource management, as well as other key performance metrics to establish a “trust” environment with all of your stakeholders.

Through the rigorous self-assessment and consultative site review process, accreditation candidates will identify ways to improve efficiency, elevate quality of service, and ensure that the organization aligns with current marketplace trends and standards.

• ACOAP provides independent evaluation of your organization’s ability to provide for a secure, high-quality and efficient, exchange network.
• ACOAP has been developed through a consultative and consensus-driven process that incorporates public comment and pilot testing.
• ACOAP meets the needs of patients, consumers, private purchasers and public payers, as well as many other stakeholders in the ACO community.
• ACOAP aligns with the expectations of providers, consumers and private and public purchasers (e.g., Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS] programs, including the Medicare Shared Savings Program [MSSP] and [Pioneer]) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), addressing HIPAA, HITECH including Omnibus Rule, ARRA and ACA legislative reform provisions as applicable.
• ACOAP accreditation criteria is reviewed and updated regularly, reflecting clinical advances, incorporating evolving stakeholder needs, addressing new healthcare legislative mandates, and continuously improving program administration for realistic healthcare exchange solutions.

As with other EHNAC accreditation programs, ACOAP gives your prospects and customers full confidence in your privacy, security, performance, business practices and resources involved in healthcare information exchange and handling. With this recognition from EHNAC, your organization raises awareness about the quality of its products and services as well as compliance with industry standards.

Criteria for the Accountable Care Organization Accreditation Program are now available on the EHNAC criteria page. To begin the application process for the Accountable Care Organization Accreditation Program (ACOAP), please complete the application form.

*EHNAC offers two accreditation programs related to Accountable Care Organizations. 1.) ACOAP is designed for the organizations themselves; 2.) OSAP-ACO is for ACO technology providers. While the programs are similar, ACOAP includes criteria related to their governance structure, how they administer their ACO to a region or community, ACO-specific government requirements, etc.

Also, are you looking for hands-on support to help you through the pre-assessment steps, readiness planning process and more? Learn about EHNAC’s Consulting and Advisory Services which have been designed to support ACOAP and OSAP-ACO.