In the latter part of 2021, Sara R. Collins, Ph.D., vice president, health care coverage and access, for the Commonwealth Fund testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance regarding the escalating costs of health insurance in America. Collins concluded, “The cost burden in commercial insurance is an enduring problem in U.S. health care that is undermining America’s overall economic well-being.”

According to the Health Care Cost Institute, people with employer insurance spent almost 22 percent more between 2015 and 2019. This growing expenditure outpaced both inflation and GDP growth during the same period. With average salaries only increasing at a rate of about 3 percent annually, a rate that already trails inflation on its own, many are concerned about the cumulative effect on Americans who struggle to afford expensive insurance premiums and deductibles as well as the large segment of the population who have been priced out of having any coverage at all.

Inflation Wipes Out Real Gains

Labor market experts warn strong inflation could lead to greater demand from workers and unions for a cost-of-living adjustment in 2022. The Federal Reserve Board says inflation has increased significantly and will likely remain elevated in the months ahead before adjusting. Labor markets continue to churn as people change jobs in search of higher salaries to make up the difference. According to ADP Research Institute, most workers average an almost 6 percent salary increase when changing positions.

PayScale reported 51 percent of workers believe they are paid below market; and workers who believe they are underpaid are more likely to seek new opportunities in the next six months as pay perception has a quantitative impact on retention.

The Commonwealth Fund Proposals

Another key component of employee retention is providing meaningful health benefits. The Commonwealth Fund outlined several proposals to contain health insurance costs in testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Two of the key recommendations were:

• Reduce deductibles and out-of-pocket costs in Marketplace plans.
• Address the high commercial provider prices that are the primary driver of employer premiums and deductibles.

While it’s difficult for most to agree on the proper measures to remedy the healthcare crisis, there are some cost-containment methods that are readily available on the market. With a little education, employers can learn how to incorporate products like direct primary care (DPC) into their health plans for better access to healthcare at lower costs.

Transparent Costs

Direct primary care is a monthly healthcare membership that gives members access to unlimited primary care for a low monthly fee. This eliminates expensive premiums and deductibles because DPC is not health insurance. Most DPC plans offer virtual visits or telehealth at no out-of-pocket costs as well as in-office visits for a minimal copay or no out-of-pocket expense.

In addition to mitigating healthcare costs for employees, direct primary care also saves employers money. DPC minimizes claims that could be generated from insurance policies when workers visit doctors. The beauty of DPC is it can be incorporated alongside a HDHP, MEC, or any other insurance plans as a cost-containment strategy. It can be implemented any time of year, so you don’t have to wait for an open enrollment period.

If you’d like more information on using direct primary care to make healthcare more affordable, contact Healthcare2U.

A 2021 report by GoodRx found over 80 percent of counties in the U.S. lack some form of healthcare infrastructure. These counties where people have limited access to healthcare services have been labeled “healthcare deserts.” Roughly 121 million people, or 37 percent of the population, currently live in a healthcare-desert county, according to the report.

The report examines the lack of access to healthcare facilities and providers in six key areas. They include primary care providers, pharmacies, hospitals, hospital beds, trauma centers, and low-cost health centers. The numbers concerning access to primary care are particularly concerning as primary care providers are often considered the gatekeepers to good health and wellbeing. Here we’ll examine the problem and highlight solutions that can address the needs of healthcare deserts nationwide.

A One to 10,449 Ratio

GoodRx says more than 9 percent of U.S. counties are primary care provider deserts. An estimated 13 million Americans live in areas where demand for primary care far outpaces the supply.   According to the report, healthcare provider deserts average one full-time primary care provider for every 10,449 people. That’s an impossible caseload for any provider.

It’s also not surprising that limited access to healthcare is more likely to affect people who already face disparities. Americans with low income, no insurance, and technology barriers such a limited internet access suffer the most. Areas that lack federally funded low-cost health centers comprise 45 percent of U.S. counties. The report estimates 78 million people don’t have a low-cost health center nearby and would need to drive more than 20 minutes to reach the nearest clinic.

Household Income and Healthcare Deserts

The relationship between the average household income and healthcare infrastructure in an area is undeniable. Unfortunately, the lower the income in an area, the less money there is for infrastructure. So the people who need help the most get the least. The authors surmise having adequate primary care providers nearby and access to multiple pharmacies would allow low-income patients to invest in preventive care and find the most affordable treatments. Currently, the lack of affordable healthcare is exacerbated by the prevalence of healthcare deserts in low-income neighborhoods.

An Alternative to Insurance

It’s no secret the uninsured are more likely to forgo doctor visits, routine screenings, and prescriptions due to costs. While many may have heard of direct primary care (DPC), some still don’t know what it is or how it differs from health insurance.

Unlike insurance, DPC is a monthly healthcare membership that provides unlimited primary care for a low monthly membership fee. There are no expensive premiums or deductibles to meet, and copays are either non-existent or very minimal. Direct primary care is filling in the gap for healthcare deserts with virtual DPC and access to a nationwide network of primary care providers. Quality primary care is now available without geographic or financial barriers to care.

GoodRx believes widening access to low-cost health options reduces the financial burden of healthcare and encourages patients to seek preventive care that could help mitigate deteriorating health outcomes. By building a healthier community and keeping them healthier with consistent care, a county could also alleviate the overwhelming demand for hospitals and other healthcare providers.

For more information on how direct primary care can alleviate healthcare deserts, contact Healthcare2U.

By the end of 2021, 95 percent of American workers considered changing jobs. Of these, 92 percent were so ready for advancement they were willing to change industries to find a position better aligned with their goals. Dubbed the “Great Resignation,” this trend thrust employers into a fierce competition to keep talent from migrating to other companies.

While flexible work schedules and remote work found themselves at the top of the most valued benefits list, peace of mind regarding healthcare is still top of mind for most. The pandemic health crisis reemphasized the importance of having access to affordable healthcare for families of all sizes.

Non-Salary Benefits are Key

Employees are taking a closer look at non-salary benefits as talent acquisition and retention grow increasingly competitive. Employers must consider the cost of providing quality benefits, meeting the needs of employees, and creating a great culture. Premium health benefits help reduce absenteeism and boost morale, but companies are finding it more and more difficult to balance costs with quality.

Benefits brokers have the ability to think holistically about how different benefits options work together in a health plan. This expertise provides a unique opportunity to educate employers and HR professionals on products that can reduce overall costs. One of these products is direct primary care (DPC).

Direct primary care works in harmony with traditional benefit options like HDHPs, MECs, and more. By reducing claims exposure for employers, DPC can effectively reduce the costs of a health plan while allowing an employer to provide more comprehensive benefits. The benefits of a direct primary care membership far outweigh the costs. They include more customized healthcare, better overall health, unlimited access, and substantial cost savings.

Customized Healthcare

Because direct primary care is not health insurance, DPC providers are not limited to the time constraints that accompany major insurance providers. Doctors can spend more time learning about a patient’s family history and previous medical conditions. This more personalized approach can help providers detect conditions before they escalate to an unmanageable or extremely costly stage.

Unlimited Access to Care

Most DPC memberships offer in-office as well as virtual care. Technology has made it possible for members to access a healthcare provider 24/7/365 for little to no out-of-pocket costs. This benefit is extremely valuable to millennials and Gen Zers.

Substantial Cost Savings

With a DPC membership, employees can avoid high deductibles and copays to get the care they need. Costs with a DPC provider are transparent, so there are no surprise fees after a visit. Employers also enjoy significant savings because there are no insurance claims generated whenever an employer seeks care from a direct primary care provider.

Make Yourself More Valuable

Every broker wants to grow his book of business and help his current clients achieve their benefits goals. The best way to make an impact is to provide real solutions that help employers reduce costs while making their current talent and recruits feel seen and cared for. By educating employers on the benefits of adding direct primary care to a health plan, brokers can make themselves more valuable to present and future clientele.

Contact Healthcare2U for more information and helpful resources to educate clients on direct primary care.

With the globally shared trauma of a multiyear pandemic, employees have felt disconnected, overwhelmed, and anxious. If you add on personal life responsibilities, the loss of loved ones, and other unique challenges, the cumulative stress can take a toll on anyone.

A recent survey by the National Institute for Health Care Management revealed 51 percent of people reported worse mental health at work since COVID-19 began, highlighting the need for employers to invest time and resources in improving employee wellbeing.

Whether working remotely or in an office setting, maintaining the mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce is a vital component of keeping any organization running smoothly. If you fail to oil the motor of any machine, it will seize up on you eventually. The cost of burnout is high, and the cost of high turnover can cripple a business. It’s better to invest in maintenance along the way instead of paying for calamity later.

As we head into a new year, here are a few strategies employers can implement to maintain the health and performance of employees.

Remove the Stigma of Addressing Mental Health Needs

Open and honest communication is the lifeblood of any relationship, including the relationship between employees and employers. By being vocal about mental health resources and encouraging staff to use them, leadership can create a culture where people feel comfortable asking for the help they need.

If employees think discussing challenges or asking for help will be seen as weakness or incompetence, they are less likely to speak up. This stigma can lead to decreased productivity, burnout, declining health, and turnover.

 Promote Self-Care

A report from McKinsey & Company said 96 percent of global companies provided additional mental health resources to employees during the pandemic. Still, only one in six employees said they felt supported. In addition to providing apps and other resources, companies can frame wellbeing as an index of learnable actions and daily behavior.

The World Economic Forum suggests employers prioritize ensuring their staff is comfortable, healthy, and happy to build a more resilient workforce and rebuild the economy. They emphasize that wellbeing must be practiced daily like any other skill.

Here are a few strategies forward-thinking companies can employ to empower employees to build their self-care muscles.

• Encourage employees to create time to recharge that includes adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
• Emphasize the importance of mindfulness, disconnecting from technology, and reconnecting with their community.
• Treat wellbeing as a business-critical skill that can be improved through training and development programs.
• Add wellbeing check-ins to team meetings and make sure everyone knows how easily accessible vital resources are.

According to the McKinsey study, only 30 percent of employees reported feeling comfortable talking to their boss about their mental health. Managers must create a safe space for open and honest dialogue about these topics.

Wellbeing is a Skill

Wellness is a sliding scale that ranges from positive mental health to severe mental illness on the other. Not dealing with issues before they escalate can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, turnover, and declining health conditions that can be very expensive to treat. All these things are costing companies billions each year.

By providing resources, training, and support, employers can help employees develop the skill of well-being to make them more productive and resilient.

A recent Commonwealth Fund study ranked 11 high-income countries in providing affordable, equitably accessible, high-quality healthcare. While Norway, the Netherlands, and Australia topped the list overall, the U.S. health system came in the last place.

According to the study, Americans in every income bracket struggle to afford the healthcare they need, compared to people in other high-income nations. Unfortunately, this study is yet another reminder that the current healthcare system does not work for most Americans. Lower-income families are incredibly disadvantaged in comparison to citizens of other countries.

The Commonwealth Fund made several recommendations for providing access to better care and expanding more equitable health outcomes. They include expanding coverage, strengthening primary care, and reducing administrative burden.

Expanding Coverage

The study found that the countries with the highest performing healthcare systems have universal coverage with consumer protections that allow citizens to get the necessary healthcare at little or no cost. While universal coverage in the U.S. seems unlikely, options like direct primary care (DPC) offer low-cost healthcare memberships available nationwide.

Strengthen Primary Care

The study noted that accessible primary care that is both affordable and timely keeps citizens healthier and lowers costs in the long run.

With DPC, unlimited access to a primary care provider encourages better health outcomes and less healthcare spending by allowing members to be proactive about their health. In general, when conditions are detected early, they can be treated at a lower cost and prevent health from deteriorating to an unmanageable state.

Reduce Administrative Burden

Healthcare providers who deal with third-party payers, like insurance companies, lament the constant paperwork and administrative complexities required by the system. One of the many reasons doctors with direct primary care practices enjoy the DPC model is they can devote the time they used to spend on administrative tasks to their patients. Direct primary care is different from insurance because there are no claims generated. That means lower costs for patients and employers and less paperwork for the physicians.

Unless some significant changes occur, the inequality of the U.S. healthcare system will continue to deepen. Experts hope the study encourages U.S. leaders to adopt measures that work in other high-income nations. With all its resources, America should create a quality healthcare system that is easily accessible and more affordable for all.

Direct primary care is a solution many are turning to because it can be accessed nationwide—in person or through virtual visits. Members get unlimited primary care visits for little or no copay, and memberships often include discounts on prescriptions and other perks.

For more information on how DPC can make healthcare more affordable and accessible, contact Healthcare2U.

According to Tom Sullivan, VP of small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses struggle to recruit qualified staff and continue to bear the burden of worker shortages. The burger chain White Castle recently reached out to 550,000 past applicants from as far back as 2017 to try to fill open positions.

A poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife found that 24 percent of small businesses planned to increase pay to attract new employees. Other tactics include remote work, more flexible working hours, and better benefits.

A recent study by HR platform provider Ease examined the challenges facing small-to-medium businesses as the pandemic recedes. The study found that as employers sought to retain and recruit workers, they offered more voluntary benefits.

It’s not surprising that workers are interested in better benefits given the events of the past year. The looming possibility of serious illness, hospitalization, or fatality became painfully palpable for many workers. These threats motivated many to choose voluntary benefits during the 2021 open enrollment period to help protect their families and their income should they face more difficult circumstances in the future.

Health Costs are Increasing

The Ease study of small-to-medium businesses also noted an increase in medical plan premiums and medical costs overall during 2020. The average company in their study saw a year-over-year increase in individual medical premiums of nearly 6 percent, while family medical premiums increased almost 4 percent, on average.

The following health costs also saw an increase in 2020:

• Overall, health care prices rose nearly 2 percent.
• The cost of physician services increased nearly 2 percent.
• The cost of hospital services rose 3 percent.

The Cost of Turnover

Another expensive issue plaguing employers of all sizes is turnover. The costs of employee turnover vary depending upon the role and the nature of the business. Still, some studies estimate that each time a company replaces a salaried employee, it costs 6 to 9 months’ salary on average.

A CAP study found the following averages to replace an employee:

• Jobs earning less than $30,000 a year = 16 percent of annual salary
• Jobs earning $30,000 to $50,000 a year = 20 percent of annual salary
• Highly educated executive positions = 213 percent of annual salary

Improving benefits is also a way to reduce employee turnover, especially for small businesses.

A Cost-Effective Solution is Here

Attracting and retaining qualified talent is tricky, but offering benefits to make employees feel valued is significant. Small businesses often feel they can’t provide health benefits for their staff because insurance premiums and deductibles are cost-prohibitive. Add on the insurance claims that impact profits, and the cost of a meaningful health plan can quickly escalate beyond control.

Now there is a powerful alternative to traditional health insurance plans. It’s called direct primary care (DPC). Instead of paying monthly premiums or deductibles, this health membership offers unlimited visits to a primary care physician for a low monthly membership fee. The membership can be paired with an insurance policy or provided on its own.

DPC has been a game-changer for small businesses. This low-cost alternative allows employees of small companies and the service sector to get the healthcare necessary to keep themselves and their families healthy. When it comes to using health benefits as a recruitment strategy, direct primary care makes it easy. Employers don’t have to wait until open enrollment to implement DPC. They can sign up any time of year to offer health benefits to their staff.

If you’d like more information on how direct primary care can help employers stand out in a competitive landscape, contact Healthcare2U.

According to a recent survey by Prevent Cancer Foundation, 35 percent of Americans have missed routine cancer screenings due to COVID-19 fears.

Another 43 percent of Americans have missed medical appointments because of the pandemic. Health experts sound the alarm that this trend could have fatal consequences.

Pandemic or not, many people have a reactive approach to maintaining good health as some only seek medical care when something goes wrong. This practice can allow conditions to progress to a state that is either no longer treatable or extremely expensive to treat.

Experts say it’s better to be proactive about your health. Part of that includes taking advantage of the health screenings that are available with your primary care physician.

Annual Physicals Are Important

Doctors recommend that people of all ages have a physical exam done by their primary care physician every year. This appointment is a wonderful opportunity for physician and patient to discuss overall health and wellness status and goals. It’s also the perfect time to share any symptoms that your doctor may need to investigate further. Many times, physicians can detect and treat conditions before significant symptoms appear.

A physical is a vital tool that allows physicians to determine which areas of your health need extra attention to prevent disease states later. It’s essential to know your numbers from blood pressure to blood glucose levels and body mass index to keep them within a healthy range.

Allowing health issues to escalate or go unchecked for years can lead to serious health problems. Having an annual physical is a powerful step toward preventing severe conditions and taking control of your health.

Cancer Screenings

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the most important modifiable determinants of cancer risk are weight control, dietary choices, and physical activity levels for people who do not use tobacco. In addition to making healthy nutritional choices and exercising, the ACS also recommends screenings to prevent various types of cancer.

• Cervical Cancer – The ACS recommends various surveillance strategies, such as pap smears, and options based on a woman’s age, screening history, and other risk factors.
• Prostate Cancer -The American Cancer Society recommends that asymptomatic men with at least a 10-year life expectancy speak with their physician about screening for prostate cancer.
• Breast Cancer – The ACS recommends that women undergo regular mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer.

These are just a few of the screenings recommended by the American Cancer Society. In any case, it’s essential to have an open dialogue with a physician to determine if or when you should be screened for cancer or any other condition. If your primary care physician doesn’t provide these screenings, they can refer you to someone who does.

Easy Access to Primary Care

In the past, people skipped annual physicals or visits to the doctor because they lacked health insurance or expensive copays, and deductibles made their coverage too expensive to use. Fortunately, more innovative healthcare solutions like direct primary care (DPC) have made visiting a primary care physician easy and affordable for everyone.

This healthcare membership differs from insurance because it provides unlimited access to a primary care doctor for a low monthly membership fee. This membership often includes annual physicals as well as other screenings and chronic disease management for diseases within manageable ranges.

For more information on how DPC can provide affordable access to preventive healthcare, contact Healthcare2U.

A recent survey by Voya Financial revealed 35 percent of employees do not fully comprehend any of the benefits they’ve selected. Things seem to be even more perplexing for younger workers, with 54 percent of millennials admitting they don’t understand their benefits.

As benefits offerings become more and more complex and even more costly, employees want more education from their employers. They want to know that they have chosen the right coverage for their families at the best possible price.

Even if the employer offers cost-effective benefits like direct primary care (DPC), if employees don’t know what it is or how to use it most effectively, everyone misses out on the savings. Here we’ll examine simple ways to educate employees about their benefits and why it’s crucial.

Understanding Mitigates Stress

Unfortunately, employees view open enrollment with a lot of trepidation because they are unsure of what they’re signing up for.

Even though benefits like direct primary care have been around for many years, people are just now beginning to understand the real power of membership compared to traditional health insurance. Here are some frequently asked questions about DPC that employees may need clarity on.

Providing Resources is Easy and Effective

Its clear employees need information and support from employers to alleviate stress leading up to open enrollment. Sixty-five percent of employees surveyed by Voya said they want help from their employers to better understand their benefits year-round, not just during open enrollment.

With this short video and other resources, helping employees comprehend their direct primary care membership benefits can be seamless.

If you’d like to help your clients or employees better understand DPC, download the FAQs about Direct Primary Care.