What term is used to describe groups of healthcare providers working together to coordinate care for Medicare enrollees?

The correct term for groups of healthcare providers collaborating to enhance care coordination for Medicare enrollees is known as Accountable Care Organizations (ACO). ACOs are structured to provide a continuum of care for patients while also striving to achieve better health outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. They focus on delivering value-based care, where providers are incentivized to manage patients’ health proactively, thus minimizing unnecessary services and hospitalizations.

In the context of Medicare, ACOs connect various providers, including physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare entities, facilitating collaboration to achieve shared goals. This approach enhances patient care by ensuring that all providers involved are working towards common objectives, which can include improving patient health and satisfaction while reducing expenses through efficient management of resources.

Other terms like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) describe different models of providing healthcare coverage but do not specifically encompass the collaborative care model aimed at Medicare enrollees that ACOs represent. Physician Hospital Organizations (PHO) refer to arrangements between physicians and hospitals but do not inherently focus on care coordination for the Medicare population. Hence, the answer reflects the specific framework that establishes care coordination directly affecting Medicare beneficiaries.