Quality and Experience of Outpatient Care in the United States for Adults With or Without Primary Care

Question  How do the quality and experience of outpatient care differ between adults with or without an endorsed source of primary care?

Findings  In this nationally representative survey study of 49 286 adults with and 21 133 adults without primary care, Americans with primary care received significantly more high-value care (4 of 5 composites), received slightly more low-value care (3 of 4 composites), and reported significantly better health care access and experience. These differences were stable from 2002 to 2014.

Meaning  Policymakers and health system leaders seeking to improve value should consider increasing investment in primary care.