Beneficiaries information
Get answers to frequently asked questions and learn about resources
The Keystone ACO, often referred to as KACO, is a group of doctors, hospitals and other health professionals that work together to provide efficient, high-quality and coordinated care to patients with Medicare fee-for-service as their insurance.
The Keystone ACO is dedicated to Triple Aim Goals, a concept created to:
- Provide better healthcare services
- Improve health of the population
- Lower healthcare costs
KACO has been in operation since 2013 and is comprised of more than 4,500 doctors and providers, 18 physician practices and 9 hospitals. The organization serves over 78,000 Medicare beneficences in central and northeast PA and surrounding states (NY, NJ and MD).
Understanding your beneficiary rights
Keystone ACO provides custom care that addresses your individual health needs. Working with an ACO does not affect your Medicare benefits or the cost of your coverage. That’s because the Keystone ACO is not a Medicare Advantage or HMO Plan. You have the right to choose to receive care from any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, at any time.
Because your healthcare organization and providers have decided to participate in Keystone ACO, you won’t need to do anything to receive the benefits offered. Keystone ACO beneficiaries will receive notification of their providers’ participation and notices will be posted in participating providers’ offices.
Keystone ACO beneficiaries have the right to contact Medicare at any time with questions or concerns, or to opt out of data sharing with the ACO at 800 MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
What are the benefits of Keystone ACO?
Your doctor has chosen to participate in Keystone ACO. Because of this, there are many benefits available to you to help keep you as healthy as possible.
The Keystone ACO is continuously working to find new ways to keep you as healthy as possible, from coordinating care between your primary care doctor, nurse case managers, pharmacists and specialists, to providing you with an annual wellness visit at no cost.
You’ll also receive KACO Connections, our quarterly newsletter, which includes helpful information on:
- Healthy eating tips
- Exercise plans
- Information about health screenings
- Education about specific conditions or risk factors
Helpful resources
Medicare Resources
To contact Medicare for additional information on accountable care organizations, contact Medicare at 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) and ask for the Medicare ACO Department.
TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048
You may also visit medicare.gov/acos.html
Selecting a Primary Care Provider
Medicare beneficiaries may select their Primary Care Provider (PCP) on the Medicare.gov website. The how-to video is located on YouTube at https://youtu.be/AZ7h-rqshG4. The video includes step-by-step instructions for locating and identifying a PCP on a person’s Medicare.gov account. CMS has also completed a Spanish language version of the same video. It is available to use in conjunction with the Spanish language Medicare.gov site, https://es.medicare.gov/. The direct link to the Spanish video is https://youtu.be/baCO37UqJHU.
Educational materials to help you stay healthy. Click on each PDF to learn more.
- Coronary artery disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Blood glucose book
- Wellness 365: take charge of your weight
- Osteoporosis
- Home safety
- Heart-healthy diet
- Adult asthma
- High blood pressure