Bio: Crystal E. Snodgrass, DPA Doctoral Candidate, is investigating whether the extent to which health care partners collaborate in a Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) affects ACO performance on federal quality and cost measures. An ACO is a formal partnership established by health care providers willing to be accountable for the cost and quality of care for their patients in exchange for a share in the cost savings associated with improving care. This study will test a validated structural and measurement model for assessment applicability to Medicare ACO collaborations using an electronic survey. The study will explore model utility for ACO performance prediction and practical application by comparing responses to published Medicare ACO quality and cost performance data. These research findings will inform policymakers, scholars, and practitioners about how collaboration affects ACO performance.

Degrees: MPA, University of Illinois at Springfield; B.A.in English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Email: csnod3@uis.edu