> Accountable care organizations must instill "genuine patient-centeredness" to ensure success, FierceHealthcare reported. "Consumer engagement, whether in the exam room or in a healthcare organization's boardroom, is a central element," Michael Millenson, president of Health Quality Advisors and author of a white paper on building ACOs that focus on patients. "It's important for policymakers and providers alike to recognize that deeply engaging patients in multiple ways is critical to ACO success," he said. Article
> Humana is looking to make more Medicare-related investments, although CEO Michael McCallister noted that it would have to be on a smaller scale because there aren't many big Medicare Advantage firms left to buy, The Wall Street Journal reported. "We're always looking for Medicare opportunities," McCallister said at Bernstein's conference. Article
> Blue Shield of California and John Muir Health have launched an accountable care organization to provide care for 16,000 Blue Shield HMO members. This is Blue Shield's seventh ACO in the state, according to the San Francisco Business Times. Article
> Some Wisconsin providers are promising employers definite savings if they offer a health plan that requires workers and families to go only to their facilities and doctors, according to FierceHealthcare. Such narrow networks could improve care coordination and better manage chronic conditions, as well as foster improved compliance with clinical guidelines. Article
> And Finally… Fantasies aren't always all they're cracked up to be. Article