The ACO Reach Model aims to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Achieving equity and inclusion within this model is crucial to ensure that all patients receive high-quality care regardless of their background or circumstances. Here are several strategies ACOs can employ to promote equity and inclusion via ACO Reach:Cultural Competency Training
ACOs should provide cultural competency training for healthcare providers to better understand and address the unique needs of diverse patient populations. This training can help providers communicate effectively with patients from different cultural backgrounds and ensure that care is tailored to individual needs.Offer regular training sessions on cultural competency
Include topics such as cultural humility, unconscious bias, and patient-centered care Language ServicesLanguage barriers can prevent patients from receiving the care they need. ACOs should ensure that language services, such as interpreters and translated materials, are readily available to patients with limited English proficiency.Provide access to interpreters for non-English-speaking patientsTranslate important documents, such as consent forms and discharge instructions, into multiple languages