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Coverage

If your doctor is in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO)

An ACO is a group of doctors and hospitals that coordinate care for people with Original Medicare. It isn't a plan and doesn't limit your choice of doctors. What it means for you.

Checked against official sources on October 27, 2026 · How we check facts

An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers who accept Original Medicare and work together to give coordinated care. There are hundreds across the country.

It isn't an insurance plan

  • You keep all your Original Medicare rights.
  • You can still see any doctor, hospital or provider that takes Medicare, at any time, even one outside the ACO.
  • Choosing a doctor in an ACO as your primary care doctor doesn't limit your choices.

How you'll know

If your primary care doctor is in an ACO and you have Original Medicare, they'll give you a written notice, and you'll see a poster about it in their office.

What it can mean for you

  • More coordinated care: your providers share your health history, which can help avoid repeated tests and harmful drug interactions.
  • More help with chronic conditions and preventive care, and sometimes faster appointments and answers.
  • In some ACOs, more telehealth.
  • In some ACOs, your doctor may be able to send you to a skilled nursing facility without the usual 3-day hospital stay first. See why the 3-day rule matters.

Your health information

Medicare lets your doctor's ACO ask for certain information about your care to coordinate it. If you don't want Medicare to share your information with the ACO, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) and tell them.

Common questions

Is an ACO a Medicare Advantage plan?

No. An ACO isn't an insurance plan. People with Original Medicare whose doctors are in an ACO keep all their Original Medicare rights and can see any provider that takes Medicare.

Does an ACO limit which doctors I can see?

No. You can still see any doctor, hospital or other provider that accepts Medicare, at any time.

Can I stop Medicare from sharing my data with an ACO?

Yes. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and say you don't want your health information shared with the ACO for care coordination.

Sources

General information, not advice about a specific plan.