New ACOs an opportunity for DME providers

WATERLOO, Iowa, Jan, 16, 2013—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced 106 new Medicare Accountable Care Organizations on Jan. 10, bringing the total number to more than 250 under Medicare and more than 500 overall, including private insurers.

Alan Morris, director of Alternate Care Programs at VGM Group, Inc., said this proves that performance-based payer models like ACOs are gaining serious momentum, and that this presents a significant opportunity to DME providers. “Many DME referral sources are seeing these value-based payment models as very appealing,” he said. “As DME providers, we now have the opportunity to prove ourselves to our referral sources as being more valuable by reducing readmission rates and improving overall patient outcomes.”

To assist DME providers looking to prove value to referral sources and work toward developing strategic partnerships with ACOs, VGM Alternate Care has developed Outcomes Plus, an exclusive bundle of programs and services powered by an alliance of VGM partner companies.

VGM Outcomes Plus allows DME providers to provide measurable data and deliverable programs to help their referral sources meet their goals, Morris said. “It is a powerful tool for any DME looking to set themselves apart and position themselves as a solution in this value-driven health care market.”

For more information contact Morris at [email protected] or 800-518-8479. Also visit www.vgm.com.