Norton Healthcare, an integrated delivery system based in Louisville, Ky., is one of the provider groups taking part 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 Norton and its partners, including the insurer Humana, that have contributed to the development of the ACO, including: a strong payer–provider relationship bolstered by a joint ACO implementation committee, a focus on performance measurement and reporting, an expanding heath information technology infrastructure, and an integrated system that facilitates communication and collaboration across the continuum of care.
