The cost of confusion: healthcare reform and value-based purchasing

Title III of the Affordable Care Act presents two types of opportunities: those whose outcomes pose some uncertainties and those whose outcomes are well known. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) represent an uncertain opportunity, and although they may prove to be a worthwhile pursuit, focus on ACOs should generally not take precedence over more pressing concerns, such as impending loss of Medicare revenue. Value-based purchasing represents an opportunity that, if missed, would likely result in a revenue loss.