Originally written in 2020, the report highlights must-have and strongly encouraged elements for high-quality primary care, as well as guidelines for health plans and healthcare purchasers.

Access to primary care is a function of multiple factors and circumstances, including provider supply, insurance coverage and geographic barriers. Primary care practices report a decline in access since the COVID-19 pandemic, but at the same time highlighted improvement in meeting must-have elements such as behavioral health integration and screening for social needs. 

A shared understanding of high‑quality primary care supports alignment across partners in the Washington healthcare ecosystem and helps ensure access to systems, providers, and healthcare teams equipped to deliver comprehensive, effective care. Read the reaffirmed guidelines, and the archived full 2020 report. (Darcy Jaffe)