Year in review: Updates in primary care
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Over the past year, advocates for primary care reform have voiced their concerns about the lack of investments in the field, the challenges of a fee-for-service model, health disparities and more.
Organizations such as the AMA, ACP, Primary Care Collaborative, National Rural Health Association and others are leading the conversation on how to strengthen primary care.
Healio has provided coverage of these discussions, including those about new payment models, physician burnout and behavioral health integration, as well as other major updates in the field, including new health information technology and Amazon’s entrance into primary care.
Read more about updates in primary care below:
‘The biggest upgrade in health care IT’ is approaching: Are PCPs prepared?
On Dec. 31, all certified electronic health record companies are required to implement upgraded technology with interoperability, allowing providers to easily transmit patient information across networks, according to a speaker at the Primary Care Collaborative. Read more.
‘Turn the system on its head’: Value-based payment offers benefits for rural patients, PCPs
As the demand for primary care physicians rises across the United States, people in rural areas are experiencing barriers to access that others do not — but a value-based payment system could help, an expert said. Read more.
Q&A: International medical graduates may help address severe PCP shortage in US
One of the top challenges facing primary care today is a severe workforce shortage. According to G. Richard Olds, MD, MACP, the president of St. George’s University in Grenada, international medical graduates could help address the primary care workforce shortage. Read more.
‘Better Health — Now’ campaign aims to transform primary care
The Primary Care Collaborative has launched a campaign to help advance the field through payment reform and increased investment. Read more.
Q&A: Primary care faces 'incredible strain' as aging population grows
About one in five Americans will be aged 65 years or older by 2030, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Read more.
Amazon pushes into primary care with $3.9 billion One Medical deal
Amazon has signed an agreement to acquire One Medical, a San Francisco-based network of primary care providers, in a $3.9 billion deal. Read more.
CMS introduces advanced payments to expand accountable care
CMS has developed policies to significantly expand access to accountable care organizations, particularly in underserved communities, as part of a larger effort to strengthen primary health care, according to a speaker at the Primary Care Collaborative. Read more.
New CPT codes aim to streamline administrative duties
The AMA has released its CPT code set for 2023, highlighting changes that seek to relieve some administrative pressures for physicians. Read more.
Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act into law, aiming to reduce health care costs
President Joe Biden signed a bill into law meant to lower health care costs for millions of Americans, in what the White House called “a historic legislative achievement.” Read more.
Physician organizations push for behavioral health integration in primary care
A group of national physician organizations has issued a call to action to integrate behavioral health services into primary care settings. Read more.
Challenges in addressing social drivers of health are increasing physician burnout
Addressing social drivers of health is a critical aspect of a primary care physician’s job, but it is also contributing to rising levels of burnout and “has a major impact” on physicians’ mental health, according to The Physicians Foundation. Read more.