Primary Care Advancement
Strengthening Primary Care for Lasting Impact
Primary care organizations are expected to improve outcomes, expand access, manage increasingly complex patient needs and succeed in value-based care models—all while navigating workforce and operational challenges.
Primary Care Advancement helps organizations strengthen the capabilities that drive better performance, better patient outcomes and long-term success. Built on NCQA’s decades of experience in primary care transformation, the program provides a clear framework for continuous improvement and independent validation of progress.
A Practical Path to Improving Primary Care
Transformation is not a one-time achievement. Primary Care Advancement helps organizations continuously assess, strengthen and advance the capabilities that matter most. With a structured, tiered framework, organizations can:
- Improve care delivery and operations.
- Strengthen population health management.
- Advance value-based care readiness.
- Demonstrate ongoing progress.
- Differentiate themselves as NCQA-Accredited.
The Capabilities Behind Better Care
Primary Care Advancement evaluates the capabilities that support high-quality, patient-centered care. Grounded in seven core domains, the program helps organizations strengthen the systems driving better outcomes:
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Population Health Management
Identify risks, close care gaps and improve outcomes.
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Team-Based Care
Coordinate care across multidisciplinary teams.
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Clinical Quality
Measure, improve and sustain performance.
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Data & Interoperability
Use data effectively to inform decisions and improve care.
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Patient Safety & Experience
Enhance access, safety and patient engagement.
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Behavioral Health Integration
Support whole-person care through integrated services.
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Value-Based Care Readiness
Build the foundation for success in alternative payment models.
Why Primary Care Advancement?
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Advance With Purpose
Follow a clear roadmap for continuous improvement.
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Strengthen Core Capabilities
Build the infrastructure, processes and competencies needed for long-term success.
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Meet Your Organization Where It Is
Progress through accreditation levels as your capabilities mature.
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Demonstrate Credibility
Show payers, employers and partners your commitment to high-performing primary care.
A Pathway for Continuous Advancement
The Primary Care Advancement program meets organizations where they are today and helps build the infrastructure for capability building, continuous improvement and sustained advancement.
The program focuses on three key milestones within primary care maturity:
