Keyword: Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA) of Massachusetts is an early innovator in developing a "social ACO" approach.

Health care payment and delivery models that challenge providers to be accountable for outcomes have fueled interest in community-level partnerships that address the behavioral, social, and economic determinants of health.

Social issues such as poor housing conditions, homelessness, and food insecurity powerfully shape children’s development and physical well-being and contribute to the physiological and psychological stress that can harm health throughout the life course.

Addressing nonmedical needs-such as the need for housing-is critical to advancing population health, improving the quality of care, and lowering the costs of care. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are well positioned to address these needs.

Given the often overwhelming prevalence of social needs facing Medicaid populations, including housing, transportation, and nutrition, aligning social services and supports with health care delivery is critical.

Objective: This article describes and evaluates a successful partnership between a large health care organization and housing for seniors.