primary care

Advocates of paying a family doctor a flat monthly fee for office visits and some lab work say it saves patients money when coupled with a high-deductible insurance plan.

Some See 'Flat-Fee Primary Care' As A GOP-Friendly Way To Provide Routine Care

12:21pm March 01, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

In "direct primary care," a model favored by HHS Secretary Tom Price, patients pay a monthly fee to doctors for basic health care. But does that really provide better value?

While incarcerated, Mark Baskerville says he suffered five diabetic comas. He says he's now doing a better job of managing his health.

Helping Ex-Inmates Stay Out Of The ER Brings Multiple Benefits

4:01pm December 05, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

Each year, millions of Americans leave jail or prison. When they do, they're likely to have a hard time managing their health. Some clinics are trying to provide ex-inmates with better, cheaper care.

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Like many small towns, Bridgton, Maine, had few resources for people seeking treatment for opioid abuse.

A Small Town Bands Together To Provide Opioid Addiction Treatment

6:03pm June 22, 2016

by Susan Sharon

After four or five of his patients died from opioid overdoses in one month, Craig Smith, a family doctor in Bridgton, Maine, realized he couldn't wait for someone else to offer addiction treatment.

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The unique medical program at the University of California, Berkeley is housed in its School of Public Health.

Students Rally To Save Program That Produces Primary Care Doctors

4:58pm April 25, 2016

by Lisa Aliferis

An unusual medical education program at the University of California, Berkeley is known for producing primary care doctors, unlike other schools. But it could be axed due to budget shortfalls.

How much value is there for seniors in staring at the eye chart in the primary care doctor's office?

Health & Safety

Guideline Group, Eye Doctors Disagree On Vision Tests For Seniors

5:00am March 11, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says there isn't enough evidence to know whether vision screening given by primary care doctors benefits patients.

Most people get treatment for depression from primary care doctors rather than specialists.

Doctors Often Fail To Treat Depression Like A Chronic Illness

6:28pm March 07, 2016

by Shefali Luthra

A single visit probably won't do the job if depression is the diagnosis. But primary care physicians often fall short on follow-up and education, a study finds. Time constraints are one big issue.

Dr. Max Lebow examines the ear of 4-year-old Charlotte Anderson at Reliant Immediate Care in Los Angeles. Charlotte's mom brought her to the urgent care clinic because Charlotte was having balance problems.

Can't Get In To See Your Doctor? Many Patients Turn To Urgent Care

10:16am March 07, 2016

by Patti Neighmond

A recent poll shows 27 percent of Americans have visited an urgent care center in the past two years. Why? Most cite convenience.

Queue Listen Now

If your insurer waived the fee to see your primary care doctor, would you go more often?

Obamacare Insurers Sweeten Plans With Free Doctor Visits

10:39am December 31, 2015

by Phil Galewitz

Some insurers are betting that lowering the barrier to seeing a doctor will encourage people to get needed care sooner. If it works, the health plans could save more than they spend on the benefit.

Health & Safety

Family Doctors Who Do More, Save More

3:10pm May 12, 2015

by Anders Kelto

A study suggests that coordinated care, led by a family doctor who is judicious about referring patients to specialists, leads to cost savings.

Experiments With Coordinating Medical Care Deliver Mixed Results

11:42am January 30, 2015

by Jay Hancock

The medical home is intended to make health care better and safer by having primary care providers manage a patient's care. So far it's not clear if they can also save money.