A position paper from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) covers in detail a new alternative payment model for primary care practices.
The paper introduces the widespread knowledge that the United States health care system needs to be reorganized to establish a better foundation for primary care around the country. The paper praises the return of words and phrases like ‘patient-centered’ and ‘whole person’ care to health policies and practices.
Currently, 45 percent of AAFP’s clinically active members work in an officially recognized patient-centered medical home (PCMH), meaning it is based on the Joint Principles of the PCMH and includes access and continuity, planned care and population health, care management, patient and caregiver engagement, and comprehensiveness and coordination, which are collectively known as the key functions of the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Initiative.
According to the paper, alternative payment models should provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that improves health outcomes while coordinating with a primary care team. The AAFP also suggests a four-step attribution process, with patient selection of his or her primary care team being the most important aspect.
The current fee-for-service system is inadequate and needs to be switched to an alternative payment model with the help of primary care physicians and the cooperation of their clients, as it will take time to switch over the models.
