Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has launched Iowa's first accountable care organization with the state's largest hospital system Iowa Health. Although participating providers will continue to receive traditional fee-for-service payments, they will be eligible to share in savings brought from delivering higher-quality care, reported the Des Moines Register. Wellmark chairman John Forsyth said the new ACO will be a "true collaboration." He added, "What makes it different is that the member experience is the focus, while providing incentives, not penalties, to deliver better care at a lower cost." Wellmark also is considering additional ACOs with other hospitals in Iowa. Article