Navigating the Challenges of Value-Based Payments in Primary Care

The shift towards value-based payments in primary care has led to longer wait times for urgent or time-sensitive appointments. Factors contributing to this issue include a shortage of primary care physicians, who are either leaving the field or opting for concierge medicine, and a lack of medical school graduates choosing primary care due to financial considerations and lower career satisfaction. Value-based payments prioritize population-based metrics and preventive care, leaving limited access for acute problems. Patients are increasingly turning to urgent care centers or emergency rooms when they can't see their primary care doctor on short notice. To address this issue, there is a need for a smaller patient load per clinician, increased use of advance practice providers, and better alignment of value-based incentives with patient needs.