Targeting Waste, Inefficiency in an Evolving Health Care Climate

At the America’s Physician Groups (APG) Spring Conference 2025 in San Diego, CA, a timely session focused on one of the most persistent challenges in U.S. health care: waste. Whether in the form of unnecessary tests, inappropriate referrals, or overuse of costly treatments, waste continues to erode value, strain resources, and impede patient-centered care.

This session—Rooting Out Waste Through Value-Based Care Models—featured leaders from three APG member organizations who are actively working to reduce waste across diverse clinical and operational domains.

The session detailed strategies to improve the appropriateness and efficiency of care delivery, including improving access to high-value specialty care, optimizing the use of advanced wound therapies, and ensuring appropriate transitions of care for complex populations. Panelists also discussed how their organizations use data, care coordination, and clinical oversight to align practice patterns with evidence-based guidelines and patient needs.

This conversation also explored how physician groups can contribute to a broader national agenda to reduce waste at scale—an effort that could free up resources for reinvestment in prevention, primary care, and population health.

Moderated by Ken Cohen, MD, Executive Director of Translational Research at Optum, the session offered real-world insights for clinicians, executives, and care teams striving to deliver better care at lower cost in today’s evolving health care environment.

Reference
America’s Physician Groups. Breakout sessions. APG Spring Conference 2025 website. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://apg.cventevents.com/event/f303a3cf-4d66-4110-9e0d-3ca64c85d453/breakout-sessions-1?RefId=apgws25