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Abstract
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced a number of changes to the way health care is to be delivered, how Americans are insured, and reimbursement structures for qualified health care organizations. Although accountable care organizations (ACOs) are a small portion of the ACA, they are the focus of significant discussion, and may have a significant impact on the structure of our health care system. Research indicates ACOs may improve the quality of care with additional focus on patient satisfaction. Health care leaders are faced with a number of organizational changes in order to qualify for ACO status. The implications and actions necessary to transition to ACO status are discussed and evaluated through this study.
