Variation of hospital-based adoption of care coordination services by community-level social determinants of health.

backgroundHospital investments in care coordination services and innovative delivery models represent an important source for improving care efficiency and population health.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to explore variation of hospital-initiated care coordination services and participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) by community characteristics within an organizational theory framework.

methodsOur main data sets included the 2015 American Hospital Association Annual Survey, Survey of Care Systems and Payment, American Community Survey, and Area Health Resource File. Two main outcomes were (a) hospital-reported initiation of care coordination practices (such as chronic disease management, post-hospital discharge continuity of care, and predictive analytics) and (b) participation in ACO models. State fixed-effects models were used to test the association between the adoption of care coordination practices and hospital characteristics, community-level sociodemographic characteristics, and health policies.

resultsHospitals with large bed size, located in urban areas, and/or with high volume of operations were more likely to adopt care coordination practices and participate in the ACO models. Hospitals serving communities with high uninsurance rates and/or poverty rates were significantly less likely to provide care coordination practices. More stringent Community Benefit Laws (CBLs) were positively associated with the implementation of care coordination practices suggesting strong normative impacts of CBLs.

conclusionGreater hospital-initiated care coordination practices and innovative ACO models were available in well-resourced areas. Policymakers may consider increasing resources for care coordination practices in rural, underserved, and high-poverty-high-uninsured areas to ensure that vulnerable populations can benefit from these services.