For half a century, these landmark initiatives have supported critical health care access for young and old alike, while providing an essential revenue base for health care providers. Today, both programs are evolving rapidly.
The AAFP has actively supported these reform efforts as the role primary care can play in improving both the efficiency and quality of care gains widespread recognition. At the same time, the AAFP understands that primary care physicians must be adequately compensated for the services they provide through means that are responsible without imposing excessive administrative complexity.
That’s why we will continue to advocate on behalf of family physicians to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements appropriately reflect both the costs of clinical services and the new duties and responsibilities primary care physicians are taking on in the current reform-driven environment.
Primary care physicians face increasing administrative complexity even as compensation has lagged, further challenging crucial growth in our specialty. That's why the Academy advocates constantly to ensure the best possible Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, and to advance the payment models of the future.
The AAFP and six other primary care organizations believe by fundamentally changing the way primary care is financed, family physicians will be able to offer care that achieves better health, seamless integration of care, health equity, and lower costs.