Column: HMSA says fee-for-service has value; prove it

HMSA’s approach to paying for primary care deserves far more public scrutiny. How primary care doctors are paid is not just a technical issue for insurers, physicians and policy experts. It shapes how often they are seen for their chronic diseases, how easily they can get appointments, how much time their doctor can spend with them, and where they end up when their doctor is unavailable. Payment policy has a direct effect on the quality of care. That makes HMSA’s approach to primary...