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Medicare Sees Surge in Payer-Operated Primary Care Practices

7/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Payer-operated primary care practices surged to 4.2% of Medicare services in 2023, a dramatic rise from 0.78% in 2016, according to a study in Health Affairs Scholar. Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, now dominates 2.71% of the national primary care market, raising alarms about competition and access to essential healthcare services.

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Story summary

Payer-operated primary care practices surged to 4.2% of Medicare services in 2023, a dramatic rise from 0.78% in 2016, according to a study in Health Affairs Scholar. Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, now dominates 2.71% of the national primary care market, raising alarms about competition and access to essential healthcare services.