An accountable care organization (ACO) is a type of payment and delivery reform model that seeks to tie provider reimbursements to quality of care.  This health care delivery model is very different from our current fee for service.   The ACO is the one aspect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that could reduce medical cost. There has been mixed reviews from the  medical professionalsthat piloted this program. Indianapolis now has 3 ACO medical providers.

Indianapolis University Health ACO, Inc., located in Indianapolis comprised of ACO group practices, networks of individual ACO practices, partnerships between hospitals and ACO professionals and hospitals employing ACO professionals, and a federally qualified health center, with 1,837 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in Indianapolis.

Deaconess Care Integration, LLC, located in Evansville is comprised of ACO group practices, networks of individual ACO practices, partnerships between hospitals and ACO professionals and a hospital employing ACO professionals, and a rural health clinic, with 323 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

Franciscan AHN ACO, LLC, located in Mishawaka is comprised of partnerships between hospitals and ACO professionals, with 245 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in the area.