Organizational Capacity of Hospitals Co-Participating in Accountable Care Organizations and Bundled Payments

Abstract

Building organizational capacity is critical for hospitals participating in payment models such as bundled payments and accountable care organizations, particularly "co-participant" hospitals with experience in both models. This study used a national survey of American Hospital Association member hospitals with bundled payment experience, with (co-participant hospitals) or without (bundled payment hospitals) accountable care organization experience. Questions examined capacity in 4 domains: performance feedback, postacute care provider utilization, care management, and health information technology. Of 424 hospitals, 38% responded. Both co-participant and bundled payment hospitals reported high capacity for performance feedback and risk stratification and predictive risk assessment using health information technology systems. The hospital groups did not differ in care management capacity, but bundled payment hospitals reported higher postacute care provider utilization capacity. Experience with multiple payment models may prompt hospitals to make different investments or adopt different strategies than hospitals with experience in a single model.