Advanced Primary Care
U.S. adults who regularly see a primary care physician have 33% lower health care costs and 19% lower odds of dying prematurely than those who see only a specialist. And if everyone used a primary care provider as their principal source of care, the U.S. could save $67 billion annually.
Despite these enormous benefits, misaligned financial incentives, infrastructure barriers and a lack of integration with other elements of care — including behavioral health — continue to severely constrain primary care’s potential.
For this reason, PBGH has defined the attributes of Advanced Primary Care. These include:
- The ability to receive common procedures without the need for a referral to a specialist
- Access to care that best meets patients’ needs, such as extended after-hours care and virtual care
- Comprehensive care that includes screenings and management of behavioral and social needs
- Coordinated care between primary care teams and other care providers
- Use of tools and systems that support population-based care and the provision of care management for patients with chronic conditions
PBGH has outlined a supporting measure set that establishes evidence-based clinical markers that collectively signal implementation of Advanced Primary Care. We’re working closely with payers and providers to test and ultimately implement the measure set in performance and shared-risk-based payment models in California and nationwide.
Featured
Employers Are Driving Innovations in Primary Care
Large employers are increasingly working with existing direct contracting partners and new vendors to enhance primary care, which includes, among other things, the integration of behavioral health care.
A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action
Large employers and health care purchasers have increasingly begun to take actionable steps to strengthen primary care, the critical precursor to a high-quality, cost-effective health care system.
Using Primary Care’s Potential to Improve Health Outcomes
Through successive initiatives and in collaboration with a diverse group of committed stakeholders, PBGH has spearheaded efforts to create a blueprint for “advanced primary care.”
Quality Improvement Project to Modernize Primary Care Launched
Covered California, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) are partnering to launch a pilot program to promote improvement in primary care which will benefit all Californians.
Resources
The Journey to Advanced Primary Care
Advanced Primary Care 2022 Measurement Pilot
Advanced Primary Care: Measure Set
PCC Shared Principles of Primary Care
Advanced Primary Care: Defining a Shared Standard
Advanced Primary Care: Defining a Shared Standard Technical Brief
Announcements
Quality Improvement Project to Modernize Primary Care Launched
Covered California, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) are partnering to launch a pilot program to promote improvement in primary care which will benefit all Californians.
Past Events and Training
CQC Webinar – Advanced Primary Care: Piloting Practice Level Measurement
A webinar describing the next step in California’s journey to scale high quality, efficient and patient-centered primary care, also known as Advanced Primary Care (APC).
CQC Webinar: Increase Depression Screening
In this meeting, attendees shared challenges and questions related to depression screening at their organizations, and identified a next step they could apply at their own organizations.