Why Primary Care Needs a Payment Overhaul: Insights from Kyna Fong in Fast Company
The traditional way we pay for healthcare just isn't cutting it for primary care. That's the core message from Kyna Fong, CEO and co-founder of Elation Health, who's been a vocal advocate for transforming how primary care practices are compensated. Her insights, including those from her latest Fast Company piece "Should Primary Care Practices Consider More Complexity in Their Payment Model Portfolio," highlight the urgent need for change.
The Problem with "Fee-for-Service"
For too long, primary care has been stuck in a fee-for-service (FFS) model. This system pays doctors for each visit or procedure, which sounds fair on the surface. But Fong argues it fundamentally misunderstands and undervalues the comprehensive, ongoing work of primary care. It's like paying a gardener per weed pulled, rather than for the health and beauty of the entire garden over time.
Shifting Towards Value: The Case for Complexity
Fong champions moving beyond this transactional approach to more sophisticated, value-based payment models. These models aim to compensate practices for managing the health of entire patient populations, not just for individual appointments. Think of it as investing in the garden's overall health, leading to fewer weeds in the first place.
Why does this matter? Because when financial incentives align with patient outcomes and overall healthcare cost reduction, everyone benefits. Fong points to compelling research: every $1 spent on primary care can save $13 in downstream healthcare costs. That's a powerful return on investment.
Freeing Doctors to Practice Medicine
Another major headache for primary care providers is the mountain of administrative burden. Complex coding, endless quality reports, and frustrating prior authorizations eat up valuable time that doctors could spend with patients. Fong emphasizes that streamlining these processes is crucial. By reducing this administrative load, we empower clinicians to focus on what they do best: building strong patient relationships and delivering excellent care.
A Brighter Future for Primary Care
Ultimately, Kyna Fong envisions a future where primary care physicians are recognized and rewarded for their critical role. By adopting smarter payment models and cutting unnecessary red tape, we can not only improve the quality and efficiency of care but also make primary care an attractive and sustainable career path. Attracting the "best and brightest" to primary care isn't just a dream; it's a necessity for a healthier population.
In short, Fong's message is a rallying cry: it's time to rethink how we pay for primary care. By embracing more complex, value-driven payment structures, we can properly compensate these essential providers, reduce system-wide costs, and foster a healthier future for us all.
Learn more about how Elation supports primary care practices. Request a demo today.