HCAI work group outlines primary care snapshot indicators, members flag data gaps on funds flow to practices

The Office of Healthcare Affordability (OCA), housed within the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), presented proposed measures for a statewide Primary Care Snapshot and sought work‑group feedback on a draft charter and indicator criteria.

Miranda Wirtz, senior primary care specialist at OCA, described three proposed investment indicators: primary care investment as a percent of total medical expense and per‑member per year, year‑to‑year change (2023→2024), and primary care investment broken down by claims and non‑claims payment categories. Wirtz said the snapshot will rely on existing state and national data and will not require new data collection. “We will ask work group members to take a brief survey to help us determine whether each indicator meets all of these criteria,” she said.

Why it matters: the snapshot aims to create a concise, trackable picture of the health of California’s primary care sector for purchasers, payers, providers, policymakers, consumer advocates and researchers. OCA intends to use the snapshot to monitor trends in investment, workforce, access, quality and equity and to move…