What is the primary focus of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)?

The primary focus of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is to improve patient care and outcomes. ACOs are designed to bring together groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to coordinate care for their patients. This coordination aims to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time while avoiding unnecessary services and preventing medical errors.

By emphasizing improved patient care and outcomes, ACOs seek to enhance the overall health of the population they serve, reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, and provide more efficient use of healthcare resources. This approach not only focuses on treating medical conditions but also includes preventive care and chronic disease management, all with the goal of achieving better health outcomes for patients.

The other options do not encapsulate the overall mission of ACOs, which is not solely about reducing costs or increasing patient volume but rather about fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes quality and care coordination.