Payment Model Demonstration Project Technical Assistance
Providers contracting for any version of the California Advanced Primary Care Initiative’s common value-based payment model through the Payment Model Demonstration Project will engage in technical assistance to support performance improvement. Technical assistance services are provided by the California Quality Collaborative (CQC).
Technical assistance includes evidence-based support through a combination of on-demand virtual learning resources and personalized guidance from an improvement coach who interacts with practices via regular coaching sessions and remains available for questions and support throughout the project. Improvement coaches partner with practices to understand needs and opportunities, set goals, guide improvement efforts and track progress. In addition, participating practices will convene together every quarter to exchange learnings, provide peer support for overcoming challenges and celebrate achievements.
Curriculum
The foundation of the technical assistance program focuses on concepts from evidence-based frameworks and best practices, including:
- Model for Improvement
A widely used framework from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement for developing, testing and implementing changes leading to improvement. - 10 Building Blocks of High-Performing Primary Care
A roadmap to identify foundational capabilities and implement building blocks, that include practice-level advanced primary care capabilities like engaged leadership, data-driven improvement, team-based care and population management. CQC has developed webinars on the 10 Building Blocks of Primary Care. - Practice Transformation Initiative
An assessment, change package and curriculum developed by CQC and used across more than 2,000 California primary care practices to guide transformation efforts and improve care and health outcomes.
Participating Practices
- Acacia Family Medical Group — family medicine practice located in Salinas
- Columbia Pediatrics Medical Group — pediatric practice located in Long Beach
- Cucamonga Valley Medical Group, Inc. — primary Care practice with multiple locations across California
- Family HealthCare Network — multi-site healthcare network in California
- Huntington Plaza Pediatrics — pediatric practice located in Pasadena
- Newport Childrens Medical Group — pediatric medical group with multiple locations across Orange County
- Orangeburg Medical Group — primary care practice located in Modesto
- Pediatric Medical Associates of Sacramento, INC — pediatric practice in Sacramento
- ProHealth Partners — primary care medical group across Southern California
- SCKE Health — primary and specialty care practice located in Orange County
Additional Support and Resources
In addition to learning practice-level change concepts, participants will have access to skill-building trainings such as improvement coaching, motivational interviewing and patient and family engagement techniques.
Featured
‘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.
Exploring Capitated Payment for Primary Care in California
Hybrid payments that include capitation offer a promising alternative to traditional fee-for-service models, focusing on quality over quantity to enhance patient outcomes and system efficiency.
Resources
Capitated Payment for Primary Care in Self-Funded Health Insurance Arrangements in California
Prospectus | Payment Model Demonstration Project
