Capital District Physicians Health Plan, Albany, N.Y., announced it will add 70 physician practices.

The step is part of a CDPHP strategic plan instituted in 2008 that includes addressing a shortage of primary-care physicians by improving care efficiency and quality. The expansion, which occurs Thursday, adds 274 clinicians and 70,000 new members. CDPHP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Nash said the program will essentially double in size.

“We're now able to touch more lives, improve our members' experience of care and reduce healthcare costs,” Nash said in a news release.

CDPHP's primary-care initiative abandons the fee-for-service model and compensates doctors for time spent aiding patients with the greatest needs, according to the release.