Economic considerations of primary care for the clinician.

This article will focus on the critical issues that lead to successful practice paradigms in women's health care within managed care structures. Elements of the economic rules governing capitated health care will be presented. Concentration on the primary care clinician as patient care advocate and his (her) role in group delivery networks will be the centerpiece of the presentation. In addition, an analysis of primary care versus all professional care risk contracts will be discussed. Finally, the managed care concept will be expanded into its natural ability to reward positive public health behavior. This includes the concept of the wellness community as well as population-based medical decision making and clinical road maps in female health care.