On the Wednesday, January 5th 2011 program at 11AM Pacific and 2PM Eastern, my guest commentator and co-host is Mark Browne, MD, of PYA (Pershing Yoakley & Associates). Dr. Browne is a consultant, health innovation thought leader, and blogger, and healthtweep in good standing via @consultdoc. While in the pre-release period of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid rule process, we'll focus on the known fundamentals of Accountable Care Organizations (ACO’s) of interest to physicians. Specifically we’ll address: (1) What are ACO's? Absent regulatory guidance, we have primarily a 30 thousand foot view with some pilot and demonstration exceptions. (2) What are the known or proximal models in operation to date? How are they structured? (3) How will ACO’s impact medicine and my practice in particular? Is this Medicare and Medicaid only? Or will its influence extend to the private or commercial (employer sponsored) market? (4) Why are ACO’s seen as a centerpiece in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? Why the optimism? (5) What ‘go to’ resources are available, including related industry experience garnered from HMO’s, PPO’s and prior integrated delivery systems, to facilitate my education? (6) Why do ACO’s hold promise for taming the thirst of a seemingly insatiable health care financing and delivery ‘non’ system? (7) What does ‘physician leadership’ look like during the ACO consideration process? Your advanced comments and questions are invited and welcome, and can be posted on ACOwatch.com. In a post on ACOwatch.com, we supplied links to 3 timely and informative reports well worth your review. Please join us.