This paper considers the three dominant forms of physican compensation (fee-for-service, capitation, and salary).  The authors note how and why they fall short of what is needed to support primary care withing a patient-centered medical home and conclude that "new payment models will likely be required to support restoration of primary care to its proper role in the US health care system, and to promote and sustain the development of patient-centered medical homes."

Berenson, R. A. and Rich, E. C. (2010). US approaches to physician payment: the deconstruction of primary care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25(6): 613-618. DOI: 10.1007/s11606-010-1295-z http://www.springerlink.com/content/u512x31ml55j2134/?p=5837f2f761954c57bfc006f89d9bba1e&pi=0

Authors: Robert A. Berenson and Eugene C. Rich.