There has been much buzz around new forms of healthcare delivery that can address the impacts of health reform. Two such models are the ACO, which has been much discussed, and a similar concept, the HIZ or Healthcare Innovation Zone.
The Healthcare Innovation Zone (HIZ) is comparable to the ACO as in it provides care to people in a specific region. However, in an HIZ the network of patients is centered around an Academic Medical Center (AMC) and other clinical and non-clinical centers that have the capabilities to provide the full range of healthcare services. Academic Medical Centers are innovative and creative solution hubs immediately addressing the many healthcare challenges. Additionally, they are primarily located in urban settings which offer a diverse patient population promoting the best coordinated care initiatives.
The aim of HIZs is to test and evaluate different delivery methods. The Healthcare Innovation Zone Pilot Act of 2009, allows teaching hospitals, medical facilities and others to combine profit streams to restructure the delivery system. From small improvements to new forms of care HIZs organize an assortment of providers to collaborate on new solutions for their geographic community.
This group effort creates shared savings across the board for healthcare providers.
The two most prominent qualities of the HIZ model according to The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) are: their ability to encourage input from community leaders and clinicians to improve quality of care and lower costs for the community; and the ability to leverage numerous community providers and payers accelerating delivery changes.
HIZs, like ACOs, strive to streamline accessibility and reduce cost while facilitating the delivery of healthcare for providers and patients alike.
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