What is the formal term for a partnership of medical professionals aiming for coordinated healthcare?

The formal term for a partnership of medical professionals aiming for coordinated healthcare is indeed accountable care organization (ACO). ACOs are designed to improve the quality of care delivered to patients while reducing overall costs. This is achieved through the collaboration of various healthcare providers who agree to share responsibility for the care of a population of patients.

The focus of ACOs is on coordinated patient care to ensure seamless transitions between different levels of care and to promote preventive care measures, thereby enhancing patient outcomes. Providers within an ACO share information about patients, making it easier to track care and improve the management of chronic conditions.

In contrast, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and independent practice associations (IPAs) have different structures and goals that do not emphasize the same level of coordinated care and shared accountability for patient outcomes seen in ACOs. HMOs often restrict patients to a network of providers, while PPOs offer more flexibility but with higher costs. IPAs serve as intermediaries between independent physicians and health plans, again lacking the comprehensive focus on coordinated care that characterizes ACOs.