Internal Medicine Faculty Spotlight - Dr. Adam Markovitz

Adam Markovitz, MD, PhD is a tenure-track assistant professor of internal medicine in the Division of General Medicine and a health economist at the University of Michigan Medical School. He is also a faculty member at the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation. 

Dr. Markovitz completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University before joining the University of Michigan, where he completed both his MD and PhD in Health Policy Economics. He stayed within U-M Health and completed his residency training in internal medicine and primary care at Michigan Medicine.

As a physician and health economist, Dr. Markovitz’s research examines the impact of primary care policy on patient access, quality of care, and spending. His work has been published in several high-impact journals including the BMJ, Annals of Internal Medicine, and Health Affairs. He is also a primary care physician who cares for patients at the Taubman General Medicine Clinic.

Learn more about Dr. Markovitz's work on value-based payment reforms and how he hopes to influence policy decisions and health outcomes, along with some background on his career journey and what inspires him.

Can you tell us about your research on payment reform and its impact on patients and health systems? What do you hope to achieve?

My research focuses on designing and testing new approaches to how we pay for and deliver primary care. I study questions like how government policies that link financial incentives to quality and costs affect patient care. For example, I’ve found that some well-intentioned programs to lower costs harm access for people with complex needs, while other programs have disproportionately penalized safety-net hospitals. Recently, I’ve also been examining what happens when corporate entities like insurers or private equity buy up primary care practices – looking at how these changes affect access, the quality of care that patients receive, and whether those with the highest needs are left behind. My hope is to generate evidence that helps policymakers, health systems, and clinicians put reforms in place that really make care better and more responsive, focusing on what matters most to patients: timely access, well-coordinated care, and help managing ongoing health needs.

How do your findings inform real-world decisions for healthcare systems and policymakers?

Healthcare leaders, policymakers, and doctors make decisions every day about how care is organized and paid for, but these choices are often made without rigorous, practical evidence about what actually works. Because most policy changes in healthcare happen “in the real world” and not in controlled trials, it’s challenging to tell if a new approach is truly effective or if it has hidden drawbacks. I integrate my clinical training, rigorous statistical methods, and large-scale data to determine how policy and organizational changes affect patient care. My goal is to provide real evidence to decision-makers to help make healthcare better and fairer for everyone.

How do you hope your research will improve health outcomes?

I want my research to make a difference for people who often struggle most with their health, especially those with chronic conditions or who face barriers in getting care. I hope to help build a healthcare system that is not only efficient but also more accessible, affordable, and compassionate for patients and their families.

What drew you to your research focus and internal medicine?

Early in my career, I worked with people living with HIV in correctional facilities and with community health workers in rural Guatemala. These experiences showed me that health is about much more than medicine or clinic visits – good social policies and support systems are just as important. Internal medicine and primary care allow me to care for the whole person while also asking questions about how we as a society can improve care for entire communities.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

The best part of my job is getting to know my patients over the years and hearing their stories. Seeing the real challenges people face navigating our complicated healthcare system keeps me motivated to find ways to make things better through research and policy changes.

Do you have a favorite quote or guiding principle?

One that resonates with me is: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” It’s a reminder to stay persistent, even when change seems distant, because advancing better and fairer care remains essential.

Learn more about Dr. Markovitz's research.