Privia Health has been providing crucial support for physician private practices for more than a decade. By empowering private practices through a flexible, value-based and—most importantly—physician-led model, Privia Health supports autonomy, enhances patient care and ensures financial sustainability.
“Independent doctors didn’t have a collective voice as a counterweight to large health care systems, hospitals, insurers and government agencies,” Eric Beyer, executive vice president of medical groups for Privia Health, said during an episode of the “The Break Room” podcast celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Privia Health’s first medical group.
Despite the growing push for value-based care, existing programs didn’t always reward physicians for delivering it, and many were opting for traditional employment because “they had no viable options to remain independent while securing financial stability,” Beyer added.
However, Privia Health offered an alternative that allowed physician private practices to control clinical and business decisions through the negotiating power of a larger, physician-driven network. Unlike traditional health care organizations, Privia Health’s physician leadership model gives doctors a say in clinical and financial decisions.
Privia Health is a member of the AMA Health System Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
Fred Taweel, MD, an internist and chief medical officer of Privia Medical Group–Mid-Atlantic, was one of its first physician partners.
“We were a successful independent practice, but it was becoming harder to negotiate with payers and keep up with changing regulations,” Dr. Taweel recalled. “We didn’t want to sell out to a health system, but we needed support.
“Privia’s model was perfect. We could still run our practice our way while gaining access to their infrastructure and payer-negotiation arm,” he added.
During the podcast episode, Dr. Taweel and Beyer addressed how Privia Health continues to support private practice physicians.
Milestones and measurable success
Over the past decade, Privia Health has delivered results for its physicians, patients and partners, and its accountable care organizations (ACOs) have ranked among the best-performing in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). Proof of their commitment to clinical excellence and financial sustainability includes:
- $176.6 million in shared savings delivered through the Medicare Shared Savings Program in 2023, a 34% increase from 2022.
- One Privia Health ACO achieved the highest savings rate (10.6%) of all Enhanced Track ACOs with more than 40,000 lives for the third consecutive year.
- Achieved 8% lower expenditure rate than the median MSSP ACO, and 21% lower than fee-for-service Medicare costs.
“Every November, we receive our shared savings checks, and it’s a validation of the work we’re doing,” said Dr. Taweel. “We’ve learned, adapted and kept improving, and our approach to population health and value-based care just gets stronger.”
Beyond financial performance, Privia Health has helped enhance patient experiences and streamline practice operations with technology, administrative support and peer-to-peer learning programs that have reduced physician burnout and improved clinical workflows.
A partner for private practices
As physician private practices face more challenges than ever, including rising operational costs, administrative burdens and the shift to value-based care, Privia Health has positioned itself as a partner that provides flexibility, support and autonomy. The model aims to let practices tailor services to their specific needs while maintaining control over clinical and business decisions.
Through optimized billing, revenue cycle management and contract negotiations, Privia Health provides administrative and financial support that lets physicians focus on patient care, while its physician-led governance ensures that decisions align with the priorities of doctors.
Also, as Medicare moves toward a goal of placing all patients in a value-based care model by 2030, Privia Health equips physician private practices with the expertise needed to navigate that transition. During the podcast episode, Beyer also highlighted Privia Health’s growing multispecialty focus and partnerships with health systems.
“We’ve expanded our model to support ob-gyns, pediatricians, cardiologists and other specialists, and hospitals and health systems are now turning to us for guidance,” he said. “Some are even asking how we can help transition their employed physicians back into private practice.”
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The next chapter for Privia
Privia Health’s mission remains the same as it enters its next decade: to strengthen practices, drive better patient outcomes and create a sustainable future for private medicine.
"The complexity and cost of running a medical practice will continue to rise," Dr. Taweel said. "So, physicians will need a support system that allows them to focus on medicine while still retaining their autonomy.”
"There’s a growing recognition that the loss of independent physicians is bad for health care,” Beyer added. “We’re committed to reversing that trend by educating medical students, supporting early-career doctors and preserving the legacy of private practice."
With a proven track record, a physician-first approach, and a clear vision for the future, Privia Health continues to be the ideal partner for independent physicians seeking to thrive in a rapidly changing health care landscape.
"We mean it when we say ‘physician-led,’” Beyer emphasized. “As the former president of the Mid-Atlantic Privia Medical Group, I couldn't sign a payer contract or implement a clinical program without approval from the physicians on our board. That level of involvement ensures that our model truly reflects what’s best for doctors and their patients."
Learn about the AMA Private Practice Physicians Section, which seeks to preserve the freedom, independence and integrity of private practice.
