Transforming Primary Care Through Innovations in Medicare

The article discusses the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation's efforts to reform primary care through initiatives like Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) and CPC Plus. Despite increased support and expectations in CPC Plus, evaluations showed no significant reduction in Medicare spending. However, CPC Plus practices did experience fewer emergency department visits and some improvements in quality measures. Subgroup analyses suggested potential benefits for practices participating in Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges in primary care transformation and the need for broader engagement in alternative payment models to achieve improved patient outcomes and healthcare system effectiveness.