What is a key feature of the Accountable Care Organizations model?

A key feature of the Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) model is that it emphasizes shared risk outcomes-based reimbursement. This approach aligns financial incentives with the quality of care provided, encouraging healthcare providers to work collaboratively to improve patient outcomes while managing costs.

In the ACO model, providers share in both the savings and losses associated with their patient care activities. This means that when an ACO successfully reduces costs while maintaining or improving quality, they can share in the savings achieved. Conversely, if they fail to meet cost and quality benchmarks, they may incur financial penalties. This shared risk model promotes accountability among providers and fosters a more integrated approach to patient care.

The other options, while relevant to healthcare management in various contexts, do not capture the primary characteristic of the ACO model as accurately. Individual patient records management pertains to the administrative functions of healthcare delivery, standardized billing for case managers focuses on financial aspects of case management, and the promotion of public health initiatives is broader and does not specifically relate to the operational framework of ACOs.