Page 6 - ACO REPORT MARCH 2022

ACOs Face Care and Cost Challenges of Patients with Multiple
Chronic Conditions — Covid-19 Curbing Access to Key Services

ACOs are concerned about the adverse health impact Percent of Original Medi-
of Covid on older patients with multiple chronic conditions. care Population 65+ with
Seventy percent of the Original Medicare population 65+ has Chronic Conditions, 2018
12
more than one chronic condition; nearly a quarter have four
to five chronic conditions, and almost a fifth have six or
more. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are most prevalent.

• The 18% of the Original Medicare Population with six or
more chronic conditions cost Medicare over $32,000 per
person. This contrasts to the 30% of the relatively
healthy cohort of about $2,000/per person.

Data from 78 ACOs shows these entities are using virtual Source: CMS, 2018

Percentage of Medicare Original Medicare Per Capita Medicare Spending for Origi-
Beneficiaries with Select Chronic Condi- nal Medicare Beneficiaries by Number
14
tions, 2018 of Chronic Conditions: 2018
13

visits to address many of the routine healthcare needs of their patients. Data analytics
that identifies high-risk patients is an important tool for care management.

• But ACOs worry most “about social services and long-term care services. Near-
ly all (97%) ACO respondents reported some or great concern about access to
social services such as food assistance or legal services, and 88% reported
some or great concern about access to long-term care services.
”15

Patients with chronic conditions my lack appropriate access to social and long-term care
services, adversely impacting outcomes and hospital readmission rates.

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