The use of patient risk scores allows for more targeted interventions, equitable panel sizes, and efficient resource allocation.
Fam Pract Manag. 2025;32(5):19-23
Author disclosure: no relevant financial relationships.
To deliver on the promise of high-quality, value-based care for our patients in the context of workforce shortages and an aging population, risk stratification is essential. It involves systematically categorizing patients by risk level based on their health status and other factors.1–3 This allows for more targeted interventions, equitable panel sizes, efficient resource allocation, and a proactive, population-based approach to care.4,5
The Military Health System (MHS) has been exploring risk stratification for many years as a way to encourage more appropriate care delivery and reduce “low-value care.”6,7 Based on the MHS’ recent implementation of risk stratification in primary care, this article describes risk scoring options, use cases, and lessons learned.
KEY POINTS
Risk stratification is essential to delivering value-based care, enabling targeted interventions and efficient resource allocation.
Adjusting panel sizes based on patient acuity allows clinicians to achieve target capacity while getting credit for the complexity of their patient needs.
Clinics should explore various risk-score methodologies and select the one that best fits their needs.
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