Pioneer ACO Physician Turnover 50% During 2012-2014 Contract Period

During 2012 through 2014, churn among physicians participating in one Medicare Pioneer accountable care organization (ACO) was about 50%. By the end of the three-year period, about 18% of physicians who had initially participated left the ACO in year one, two, or three. However, 41% more physicians joined the ACO during year two or three. Across the three-year period, about 52% of physicians were affiliated with the ACO for all three years.

About half of growth in the number of beneficiaries attributed to the ACO was due to the new physicians affiliating with it. Otherwise, beneficiary growth occurred . . .