Bluestone Accountable Care Organization Achieves Record Savings for Medicare Beneficiaries

Strategic Insights -

Bluestone Accountable Care Organization (ACO) saved Medicare $33.6 million in 2024, ranking in the top five nationally for savings per beneficiary and among the top 10 ACOs in overall savings rate. The organization's compassionate, quality care for 5,772 Medicare beneficiaries residing in assisted living, memory care, and group home communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida led to this significant achievement. Bluestone ACO's dedication to coordinated, whole-person care and its innovative approach to managing complex conditions have earned it recognition as a leader in value-based care.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bluestone ACO saved Medicare $33.6 million in 2024 as part of the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).
  • The organization's 2024 MSSP performance included lowering healthcare costs by reducing unnecessary emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and readmissions.
  • Bluestone ACO met quality measures for conditions such as diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure, with only 10% of ACOs submitting full population quality measures.
  • The organization's complex care managers connect with hospitals within two hours of an emergency department visit to align treatment with patient wishes, reducing stress for families and unnecessary hospital stays.
  • Bluestone ACO will use shared savings from its 2024 MSSP performance to improve operations and support patients and families with new programs, including dementia care navigation services.
  • The organization will expand its model in 2026 in partnership with Herself Health, a value-based healthcare company redefining primary care for women as they age and mature.
  • Bluestone's care is driven by its commitment to meeting patients where they are with a more comprehensive, coordinated healthcare experience.
  • The organization's model includes accessible clinical expertise, a coordinated, team-based approach, comprehensive care management, and innovative strategies for managing complex conditions.

Statistics:

  • Bluestone ACO saved Medicare $33.6 million in 2024.
  • The organization's average savings per beneficiary was $6,212.
  • Only 10% of ACOs submit full population quality measures, and Bluestone ACO is one of them.
  • Bluestone ACO has some of the highest risk scores among MSSP ACOs, meaning it excels at caring for patients with complex conditions and higher medical needs.
  • 77% of Bluestone ACO's patients have at least two chronic conditions, and 44% have at least four.

Sources:

  • "Bluestone ACO's 2024 MSSP Performance" - a press release from Bluestone Physician Services.
  • Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) data - a public dataset from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
  • Herself Health press release - a public statement from Herself Health.