Direct Primary Care as an Employer Health Plan Strategy: The Benefits and Solutions

Health insurance often feels like a financial gamble for employers and employees. Some health plans leave employees with high out-of-pocket costs and a substantial financial burden, while others raise claims and damage a company’s bottom line. Instead of leaving the decision to the “dealer’s choice,” brokers can assist employers with a health plan strategy that offers healthcare for less, protects assets, and provides quality care for employees.

One win-win solution to unaffordable healthcare is Direct Primary Care (DPC). DPC is a healthcare membership that avoids insurance claims and deductibles—delivering timely access to primary care physicians. This type of healthcare model can be used as a sole solution or paired with traditional insurance, depending on a member’s needs.

Sounds intriguing, right? Let’s dive into this innovative healthcare model and see how it could reshape how you think about employee benefits and your company’s bottom line.

Wondering what a membership primary care practice is? Click the link to learn more about this innovative healthcare model and how it’s changing how people access medical care.

The Value of Direct Primary Care for Employees

Direct primary care is a valuable benefit to an employer’s workforce because of the valuable access it offers to primary care physicians. For example, membership often covers common acute illnesses, annual physicals, and the detection, treatment, and management of chronic conditions. Because they are essential to healthcare and healthy living, the value of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) is unmatched. Studies have shown that (1) states with a higher ratio of primary care physicians have populations with better health, and (2) patients who have a relationship with these physicians have lower overall health expenses than those without one.

Despite positive health attributes associated with primary physicians, another study found that many people do not have a personal doctor (28% of men and 17% of women). In Mercer’s article Direct Primary Care as a Strategy to Manage Cost, the author contributes this problem to a short supply of PCPs across the nation. Factors such as work-life balance, salary, and administrative burdens have contributed to this shortage.

As employers look for creative ways to avoid shifting healthcare expenses to their employees, they may want to explore direct primary care as an employer health plan strategy. DPC would allow affordable access to a PCP who’s invested in the wellbeing of each patient. While there are many variations of the model, the average monthly cost for a membership is $70-$90 per member per month (PMPM).

How does direct primary care compare to concierge medicine? Discover the key differences between these two healthcare models.

Healthcare2U: Nationwide Access to Affordable Direct Primary Care

Many traditional direct primary care providers are confined by location, only able to serve patients within a small region. As a hybrid model, Healthcare2U prides itself on being an integrated DPC organization that is nationwide, ensuring employers of all sizes and structures have access to consistent and affordable primary care.

Our proprietary Private Physician Network (PPN)™ grants our members unlimited access to any Healthcare2U partner clinic across the nation for only $10 or less a visit for acute and chronic conditions and 24/7 bilingual virtual care with a physician through our Patient Advocacy Line™ (PAL) at no cost. Our DPC membership also includes unlimited urgent care appointments for $25 or less per visit.

Healthcare2U’s direct primary care model offers additional benefits that address employees’ healthcare needs, including:

• Patient Advocacy: Personalized support to navigate membership benefits.
• Unlimited In-office Physician Access: Visits to primary care doctors for various health concerns.
• Unlimited Urgent Care: Access to urgent care services.
• Annual Physicals: One per year with labs
• Preventative Care: Regular check-ups and screenings to maintain good health and catch issues early.
• Unlimited Chronic Care: Ongoing management and treatment of chronic conditions.
• Unlimited Virtual DPC: 24/7 virtual care access to healthcare professionals.

When it comes to employee health and an employer’s bottom line, neither should have to sacrifice. With Healthcare2U’s membership 40 percent below the average cost of traditional DPC memberships, employers can cut costs on health benefits without the gamble.

Our innovative approach combines the best of DPC with modern convenience. Our model offers:

• Personalized Care Navigation: Our Patient Advocacy Line™ is your first point of contact. When you call, we listen to your concerns, assess your needs, and guide you to the right care option.
• Flexible Care Options: Whether you need a prescription, a virtual consultation, or an in-person visit, we’ve got you covered. Just give us your location for in-person appointments, and we’ll find a convenient option nearby.
• Nationwide Accessibility: Our extensive network ensures you have access to quality care whether you’re at home or traveling anywhere in the U.S.
• Transparent Pricing: We keep it simple—an affordable monthly fee and $10 or less per visit. There are no hidden fees or unexpected charges, so your healthcare costs stay predictable and manageable.
• Comprehensive Care: Your membership includes unlimited doctor visits, 24/7 virtual care, and a range of primary care services designed to keep you healthy and minimize stress.

We’ve built Healthcare2U on the principles of affordability, accessibility, transparency, and mobility. We believe that when healthcare works better, life works better too!

Are you interested in experiencing healthcare that puts you first? Visit our Direct Primary Care page today to learn how Healthcare2U can benefit your organization and employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Direct Primary Care (DPC) differ from traditional insurance companies?

Unlike traditional health insurance, DPC operates on a membership model where patients pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to primary care services. This approach often results in more personalized care, longer appointments, services like virtual care and chronic disease management, leading to elevated health outcomes.

What benefits does DPC offer to employers and employees?

DPC can lower healthcare costs for employers while providing eligible members with improved access to care. Members benefit from unlimited primary care visits, preventive services, and often lower costs. Employers may see reduced overall healthcare spending and improved employee health outcomes.

How does our DPC model at Healthcare2U differ from traditional DPC providers?

Unlike many location-limited DPC practices, we offer a hybrid membership with a nationwide network of providers in all 50 states. This allows us to serve organizations of all sizes nationwide, providing consistent, affordable primary care to all eligible members regardless of location. Our integrated model includes unique features like our Patient Advocacy Line™, which acts as a personal healthcare concierge.

What services are included in our Healthcare2U membership?

For a low monthly fee, members get unlimited $10 or less in-office visits, free 24/7 bilingual virtual care, and $25 or less urgent care visits Our PAL™ guides members to appropriate care options. We also offer preventive care and chronic disease management, all without hidden fees or unexpected charges.

Need more info? Visit our FAQs page for the answers to your most pressing questions.