Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioners and Accountable Care Organizations: The Train Is Leaving the Station

Abstract

Legislation that supports the establishment of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) was recently enacted into law as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and in 2012 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will begin contracting with ACOs. Although ACOs will play a significant role in reform of the U.S. health care delivery system, thus far, discussions have focused exclusively on the coordination of conventional health services. This article discusses the potential engagement of the complementary and alternative (CAM) workforce in ACOs and the foreseeable impacts of ACO legislation on the future of U.S. CAM services.