Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, on ACOs and Diabetes Management

Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, chief medical officer and senior vice president, Joslin Diabetes Center, says that there are opportunities for treating diabetes within accountable care organizations (ACOs). Historically, many hospital systems mainly saw revenue from complications associated with diabetes management. ACOs are changing that model of care.

“In order to save money on patients with diabetes, what you’re looking to do is implement better care practices. No longer is it that one—in a sense—profits from the complications of diabetes,” Dr Gabbay says. “Really, now, the savings come from taking better care of diabetes, which is what we’ve always wanted to do all along. But now, finally, the financial incentives are more aligned with what we want to deliver.”

He adds that financial incentives will also encourage providers to innovate as they rethink traditional fee-for-service care models.