This year’s Rhode Island Primary Care Conference (RIPCC) covered a broad range of topics shaping the future of primary care—from pregnancy complications and insomnia to Medicare navigation and the role of AI in healthcare. As a company committed to empowering primary care physicians (PCPs) through data-driven, value-based solutions, Pearl Health attended the conference to better understand the challenges and opportunities providers face today at both a regional and national scale.
Here are three key themes that emerged from the discussions:
- Value-based care remains a mystery for many primary care physicians
- Primary care providers remain uncertain about the policy implications of the presidential transition
Recent developments—such as the temporary freeze (and subsequent reversal) of federal healthcare funds and adjustments to drug pricing regulations—signal potential volatility in the future of primary care funding, delivery, and access.
While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the previous Trump administration sought to expand alternative payment models, risk bearing, and value-based care models in primary care, Medicare policy in the new administration remains unclear. For many primary care providers, the current uncertainty reinforces the need for reliable partners and resources to help navigate evolving regulations and ensure financial stability in a shifting reimbursement landscape.
- AI looms large with untapped potential
AI’s role in primary care was another hot topic at RIPCC. A session on Family Medicine AI highlighted how AI is increasingly being integrated into electronic medical records (EMRs) to support clinical decision-making, automate workflows, and improve efficiency.
Other Notable Trends:
- Obesity and GLP-1 Medications: The continued rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic and Wegovy) reflects the growing urgency to address metabolic health and weight management in primary care.
- The Mental Health Crisis: Insomnia, eating disorders, and mental health disparities—particularly among transgender and gender-diverse patients—remained at the forefront of discussions on comprehensive, inclusive care.
- Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): A session on primary care in Honduras and discussions on health equity in preventive care reinforced that SDOH continues to be a major determinant of patient outcomes, even in well-resourced healthcare systems.
RIPCC 2025 provided a valuable forum for understanding the evolving realities of primary care. Physicians are facing a rapidly changing landscape—from shifting reimbursement models to new technologies and political headwinds. As an industry, we must equip providers with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in this new era of healthcare.
At Pearl Health, we are committed to helping primary care providers navigate these challenges by providing actionable insights, seamless technology, and strategic guidance to help them deliver more proactive, high-quality care.
If you’re a primary care physician looking to better understand how value-based care can work for your practice, let’s start a conversation.
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See what VBC could mean for your practice, in practice.
Share a few key details with us to receive a personalized, data-driven analysis tailored to your specific practice.
