Advanced Primary Care
Employers know that primary care is essential to a healthy workforce and employees’ access to a high-value health care system. Studies show that robust systems of primary care can lower overall health care utilization, disease and death rates and increase the use of preventive services.
That’s why PBGH has developed a set of advanced primary care attributes used by payers, providers and health care purchasers to incentivize high-quality, lower-cost primary care with patients at the center of every interaction. We are working to scale high-quality primary care through the development of a national network that is vetted to include a region’s highest performing primary and specialty care practices.
PBGH’s approach to advanced primary care redirects existing health care spend to high-quality, equitable and evidence-based care while holding total cost flat.
Initiatives
A History of Pioneering Advanced Primary Care – save for possible template use
Read More about A History of Pioneering Advanced Primary Care – save for possible template usePBGH has been a pioneer in defining and promoting the adoption of advanced primary care.
PBGH Care Excellence Program
Read More about PBGH Care Excellence ProgramThe PBGH System of Excellence for advanced primary care with precision specialty referrals offers employers a way to supplement existing health plan offerings.
California Advanced Primary Care Initiative
Read More about California Advanced Primary Care InitiativeThe California Advanced Primary Care Initiative is an effort to strengthen the primary care delivery system throughout the state.
Advanced Primary Care Resources
Read More about Advanced Primary Care ResourcesThrough successive initiatives and in collaboration with a diverse group of committed stakeholders, PBGH has spearheaded efforts to create a blueprint for optimized primary care.
Payment Reform and Quality Improvement
Read More about Payment Reform and Quality ImprovementPBGH works with policymakers to advance the development and application of alternative payment models that hold providers accountable for quality of care.
Primary Care Payment Reform Workgroup
Read More about Primary Care Payment Reform WorkgroupThe PBGH National Primary Care Payment Reform work group, comprised of large employers and convenes purchasers and other stakeholders to build consensus for new payment models that support and enable advanced primary care.
Behavioral Health Integration
Read More about Behavioral Health IntegrationPBGH is supporting the development of tools and systems that can enhance the continuity and coordination of physical and mental health in the primary care setting.
Featured
Healthcare Innovation Summit | California’s Payer-Provider Value-Based Contracting Breakthrough
Conference Date: June 9 Speaker: Crystal Eubanks, Executive Director, California Quality Collaborative Topic: California’s Payer-Provider Value-Based Contracting Breakthrough Mark […]
‘Pay attention to what we’re doing here’: 3 payers come together on new payment model in California
This article highlights a groundbreaking value-based payment model in California, co-led by CQC and IHA, launched in early 2025 with 11 provider organizations serving around 17,000 patients, aiming to address challenges in primary care reimbursement, health outcomes and disparities.
Blue Shield of California’s Role in a Groundbreaking Payer-Provider Initiative
Blue Shield’s Dr. Nina Birnbaum shares how the health plan is working with CQC, IHA and fellow payers to co-implement a shared value-based payment model. The initiative prioritizes small practices, unified data and aligned incentives to improve care quality and equity across California.
Dr. Todd May, Vice President and Medical Director at Health Net
Health Net’s Dr. Todd May joins the podcast to discuss California’s new multi-payer value-based payment model, co-led by CQC and IHA. He shares how major insurers are working together to strengthen primary care, advance equity and transform provider payment statewide.
A Provider Leader Looks at California’s Multi-Plan Breakthrough Around Value-Based Care
IHA’s Dolores Yanagihara discusses California’s first unified value-based payment model, co-led by CQC and IHA. The initiative supports primary care practices with aligned incentives, shared data and coaching to improve outcomes and equity statewide.
California insurers join forces on value-based primary care model
This Fierce Healthcare article spotlights CQC’s leadership in launching a unified, multi-plan value-based payment model to strengthen primary care in California. The initiative supports independent practices with increased payments, shared data systems, and hands-on coaching—reducing administrative burden and enabling population health approaches that can improve outcomes statewide.
A Health Plan Leader’s Perspective on California’s Multi-Plan Value Breakthrough
Health Net’s Dr. Todd May spotlights CQC’s leadership in a first-of-its-kind value-based payment model uniting three health plans. The initiative supports primary care practices with aligned incentives, unified data and technical assistance to drive better outcomes and equity statewide.
In California, a First-Ever Multi-Plan, Integrated Approach to Value-Based Contracting
This Healthcare Innovation article spotlights CQC’s leadership in launching California’s first unified, multi-plan value-based payment model. In partnership with IHA and three major health plans, the initiative reduces administrative burden, supports independent practices and advances high-quality, equitable primary care statewide.
California Health Plan Leaders Unite for the First Time to Launch New Payment Model Demonstration Project to Fortify Primary Care
In an unprecedented collaboration, three leading California health plans — Aetna, Blue Shield of California and Health Net — have united to co-implement a shared value-based payment model under the California Advanced Primary Care Initiative’s Payment Model Demonstration Project.
Advanced Primary Care Key to Reducing Health Inequities
Robust, comprehensive primary care – a critical foundation for a more cost-effective, high-functioning health system – is equally important in helping boost health equity.
Resources
Better Employee Health, Increased Productivity and Lower Costs
The Journey to Advanced Primary Care
Advanced Primary Care 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
California Health Plan Leaders Unite for the First Time to Launch New Payment Model Demonstration Project to Fortify Primary Care
In an unprecedented collaboration, three leading California health plans — Aetna, Blue Shield of California and Health Net — have united to co-implement a shared value-based payment model under the California Advanced Primary Care Initiative’s Payment Model Demonstration Project.
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
PBGH System of Excellence Pre-Launch – San Antonio
Join PBGH and our employer members in San Antonio, Texas on July 31, 2024, for the pre-launch of PBGH’s groundbreaking System of Excellence coming to Texas in 2025.
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.