New Study Finds Senior Patients Managed by Women Physicians in a Value-Based Care (VBC) Model Have Equal or Better Clinical and Quality Outcomes and Less Healthcare Utilization

Research also shows a reversal of the gender pay gap under VBC

WESTERVILLE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--agilon health (NYSE: AGL), the trusted partner empowering physicians to transform health care in our communities, today announced the publication of new peer-reviewed data examining the impact of gender differences of primary care physicians (PCPs) on patient outcomes, healthcare utilization and revenue using different Medicare payment models, specifically value-based care (VBC) and fee-for-service (FFS). Research was published in the May 16, 2025, issue of the JAMA Health Forum.

In the study, researchers identified nearly 900 PCPs, of whom 40% were women, at 15 practice groups across seven states who deliver care through agilon’s VBC model. Researchers then examined claims data from approximately 225,000 Medicare Advantage (MA) patients who were treated by these physicians, as well as the corresponding Stars quality data from national and regional payors. When comparing men and women PCPs in the same practice groups, researchers found that patients managed by women PCPs in a VBC model experience equal or better clinical and quality outcomes and less healthcare utilization, and the women physicians earned more per patient.

“The reversal of the gender gap under value-based payment implies that these models may be better aligned with desirable practice patterns that are more common in women, like spending more face-to-face time with patients in office visits,” said study author Ishani Ganguli, MD, MPH, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Specifically, researchers observed the following:

• Outcomes: Senior patients managed by women PCPs experienced better key clinical outcomes, as evidenced by better hemoglobin A1C control and receipt of more eye exams for those with diabetes, compared to patients seen by men PCPs. Of note, similar patient outcomes were observed for blood pressure control and adherence to statin medication for cholesterol management between the two groups. In terms of quality scores, women PCPs had higher composite Stars quality scores, but lower provider rating scores than their men counterparts.
• Utilization: While the number of primary care visits were similar between the two groups, visits to the emergency room (ER) and hospitalizations were substantially lower for patients seeing women PCPs compared to those seeing men PCPs.
• Revenue: Compared to men PCPs in their own practice groups, women PCPs earned more per patient in the VBC model and similar amounts under the FFS model.

“As a woman physician, I believe VBC allows us the opportunity to leverage the relationships we develop with our patients, which correlates to improved outcomes, and the ability to be paid because of those important connections,” said study author Victoria DiGennaro, DO, Pioneer Physicians Network, Akron, OH. “Our partnership with agilon health and implementation of its VBC model have been instrumental in enabling both of those to happen.”

agilon’s VBC model, which puts the physician at the center, is known as the Total Care Model. The Total Care Model takes the same physicians, the same patients and the same payors, and moves them from the challenges of FFS into a total care relationship, which results in high-quality care and improved patient clinical and quality outcomes, lower healthcare costs and healthier communities. It encompasses long-term partnerships, a purpose-built platform and a Physician Network that helps physicians overcome obstacles and transition to VBC.

“In addition to agilon’s Physician Network, another benefit of our partnership has been the focus on women physicians, which includes a Women Physician Leadership Council,” added Dr. DiGennaro. “Many women physicians want to practice medicine as they were trained, while finding that critical work-life balance, and I’m proud to be a voice for them through my involvement on the Council.”

Study design

In this cross-sectional study, researchers examined PCPs with primary care specialties who participated in agilon’s Total Care Model. A total of 872 PCPs (352 of whom were women) working in 15 practice groups in seven states (Ohio, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, North Carolina and Michigan) were included, along with 223,810 MA patients. Women and men PCPs had similar education, years of experience and specialties.

There are several limitations to the study. First, results may not generalize beyond physicians who participate in risk arrangements. Second, MA patients represent only a portion of doctors’ patient panels. And, finally, researchers cannot observe how individual practice groups translated MA payments to take-home wages (though comparing PCPs within the same practice groups mitigates this concern).

About agilon health

agilon health is the trusted partner empowering physicians to transform health care in our communities. Through our partnerships and purpose-built platform, agilon is accelerating at scale how physician groups and health systems transition to a value-based Total Care Model for their senior patients. agilon provides the technology, people, capital, process and access to a peer network of 2,200+ primary care physicians that allow its physician partners to maintain their independence and focus on the total health of their most vulnerable patients. Together, agilon and its physician partners are creating the healthcare system we need – one built on the value of care, not the volume of fees. The result: healthier communities and empowered doctors. agilon is the trusted partner in 30 diverse communities and is here to help more of our nation's leading physician groups and health systems have a sustained, thriving future. For more information, visit agilonhealth.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.