The Primary Care Collaborative is delighted to honor Dr. Ashraf Affan, Founder and CEO of Angel Kids Pediatrics, as this month’s Primary Care Champion.
Affan first shared his passion for strengthening whole-person, high-quality primary care, particularly for underserved children and families. He highlighted the importance of early intervention, prevention and integrating behavioral health into primary care. Affan also emphasized working beyond clinic walls to collaborate with organizations that share Angel Kids Pediatrics’ mission of equitable health care access.
When asked how his independent practice stays financially viable while serving underserved populations, Affan explained that in Florida, where 55% of children are on Medicaid, innovation is essential. His practice adopted a value-based care model, taking on financial risk with payers to improve outcomes and reduce ER visits. Integrating behavioral health into primary care was also key to ensuring families receive comprehensive care. Additionally, he leverages technology to coordinate with over 150 community organizations, addressing both medical and social needs.
Affan asserted that excessive documentation, prior authorizations and compliance demands take time away from patient care. To address this, Angel Kids Pediatrics uses technology to automate administrative processes. Their patient engagement platform identifies social needs—such as housing or food—in real time. A family navigator then connects with community partners, streamlining referrals and ensuring patients receive support efficiently.
When asked which administrative challenge he would fix, Affan discussed eliminating the burdensome prior authorization process. Getting insurance approval for needed treatments takes time, holds up patient care and puts added financial pressure. Streamlining or doing away with prior authorization would enable clinicians to spend more time on patients and less on bureaucratic obstacles.
Affan highlighted the need to integrate behavioral health services into primary care systems, particularly for pediatric populations who are on Medicaid and living in underserved areas. The youth mental health crisis has led to long wait times for critical care, sometimes even years. Embedding mental health services into primary care would prevent crises, reduce ER visits and provide early intervention. At Angel Kids Pediatrics, post-pandemic data shows inpatient and ER costs are increasingly driven by mental health conditions, underscoring the need for action.
When questioned what he would change in the U.S. health care system, Affan pointed to integrating behavioral health into primary care and expanding value-based care. He also mentioned the severe underfunding of primary care despite handling over 50% of care visits. More investment in primary care would improve chronic disease management, maternal and child health and welfare in the population. He urged policymakers to recognize primary care’s unmatched return on investment in lowering costs and improving health outcomes.