Primary care is associated with better health outcomes, lower costs, and plays an important role in reducing socioeconomic disparities in health. The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for robust investment in primary care to support ongoing COVID-19 testing and care, adapt care models to increase telehealth delivery, and address increasing behavioral health and health-related social needs.

This resource explores how seven states — Delaware, Hawaii, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State — are using their managed care purchasing authority to advance primary care models. The states were participants in Advancing Primary Care Innovation in Medicaid Managed Care, a national initiative made possible by The Commonwealth Fund and led by the Center for Health Care Strategies. These examples can help inform other states that are considering the use of managed care levers to promote advanced primary care models.