Accountable care organizations for neuroradiologists: threats and opportunities

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are one of the more interesting and (perhaps) highest impact components of the 2010 Federal health care bill. Neuroradiologists should examine them carefully for opportunities to participate and contribute to ACOs as well as to understand the potential threats. Although there are questions about the viability of the proposed models, neuroradiologists should not assume this is a fad. All specialists should pay close attention to the evolution of ACOs. It seems likely that many of their features will come to pass during the coming decades with substantial impact on the profession.