A newly designed accountable care organization developed by UnitedHealth will expand the insurer's regional approach to value-based care, creating a national network of top tier providers designed to lure self-funded employers.
NexusACO is UnitedHealth’s attempt at a nationalized ACO, according to a recent Forbes post. In 2017, the new ACO will include self-funded employers in 15 markets across the country from New Jersey to Orange County, California. NexusACO will include a network of the nation’s top providers based on UnitedHealth’s quality and efficiency metrics, the article notes.
UnitedHealth has already established hundreds of regional ACOs, including a recent 10-year agreement to partner with the University of California announced in September. However, the company’s new venture targeting self-funded employers aims to expand the approach to a broader group of employers and providers.
ACOs have been a focal point for payers of all types, many of which found success in the early stages of the shift to value-based care. Aetna has emphasized the need to “meet providers where they are in their willingness to take on risk,” while Cigna has pointed to its ability to select quality providers as the driver behind its ACO success. For its part, Anthem Blue Cross recently announced that its partner ACOs generated over $70 million in savings.