Serious Illness Approaches by ACOs: Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS)

Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) was established in 1908 as a tuberculosis sanitarium and has developed into a system of nine hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group with more than 950 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, and a statewide health plan. While PHS still participates in accountable care organization (ACO) arrangements, it has transitioned to a more general accountable approach with coordinated care and financial risk through its integration as a payer and provider. By aligning incentives between the delivery system and the health plan, PHS can focus on care delivery changes to reduce the total cost of care for its patient population.