Monarch HealthCare, a physician-led independent practice association in Orange County, Calif., is one of the provider groups participating in the Brookings–Dartmouth ACO Pilot Program to form accountable care organizations, which assume responsibility for improving patient care and lowering total costs and, in turn, share in the savings achieved. This case study explores the characteristics of Monarch and its partners, including the insurer Anthem, that have contributed to the development of Monarch's ACO, including: strong executive leadership, trust and transparency in its partnerships, the use of care navigators and physician champions, and economies of scale achieved through the physician network.
