In accountable care organizations, a group of providers from which form a network to coordinate care?

• A. Hospitals only
• B. Different specialties
• C. Government agencies
• D. Pharmacists only

Answer: (B)

This question tests how accountable care organizations coordinate patient care. ACOs bring together providers from different specialties to form a network that plans and manages care across settings—primary care, specialists, hospitals, and other clinicians—so they can address patients’ needs comprehensively and in a coordinated way. Limiting the network to hospitals only misses outpatient and specialty input; government agencies aren’t the clinical network that delivers coordinated care; and pharmacists alone don’t cover the full range of medical decisions and services. By including providers from multiple disciplines, the ACO can align care, improve outcomes, and control costs.