Study: ACO model not serving needs of Medicare clients with depression.

ANXIETY treatment; MEDICAL quality control; MEDICAL care; COST control; MEDICAL screening; HEALTH insurance reimbursement; ACCOUNTABLE care organizations; MENTAL depression; QUALITY assurance; HEALTH equity; MEDICARE; MENTAL health services; MEDICAL needs assessment

A new longitudinal study concludes that the accountable care organization (ACO) model, in which groups of providers offer coordinated care to a designated population, is failing Medicare beneficiaries with mental health needs. The study's corresponding author told MHW that the results reflect the lingering disparity in care between chronic medical illnesses and common mental health conditions such as depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mental Health Weekly is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)