Accountable Care Organizations

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) 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.

The program 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, it 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 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.

The Accountable Care Organization Accreditation Program:

• provides independent evaluation of an organization’s ability to provide for a secure, high-quality and efficient, exchange network.
• was developed through a consultative and consensus-driven process that incorporates public comment and pilot testing.
• meets the needs of patients, consumers, private purchasers and public payers, as well as many other stakeholders in the ACO community.
• 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.
• is based on criteria that 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 DirectTrust accreditation programs, Accountable Care Organization accreditation gives prospects and customers full confidence in the privacy, security, performance, business practices and resources involved in an organization’s healthcare information exchange and handling. With this recognition, an organization can confidently promote its products and services as well as compliance with industry standards.

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

*DirectTrust offers two accreditation programs related to Accountable Care Organizations:
1.) ACOAP is designed for the organizations themselves
2.) Outsourced Services – Accountable Care Organizations (OSAP-ACO) is the Accreditation for ACO technology providers. 

While the programs are similar, ACOAP includes criteria related to an organization’s governance structure, how it administers the ACO to a region or community, ACO-specific government requirements, and more.

Organizations seeking hands-on support through the pre-assessment steps, readiness planning process and more can access our Consulting and Advisory Services, designed to provide additional guidance in completing either ACOAP or OSAP-ACO.