Employer benefits are a key factor in attracting and retaining talent, as well as improving employee health and productivity. However, providing high-quality and affordable healthcare benefits can be challenging for employers, especially in the face of rising costs, limited access, and low satisfaction.
That’s why many employers are looking for alternative ways to offer healthcare benefits that can meet the needs and expectations of their employees, while also reducing their healthcare spend and risk. One of these alternatives is direct primary care (DPC), a healthcare model that offers unlimited access to primary care services for a flat monthly fee.
In this post, we’ll explain what direct primary care is, how it works, and what are the benefits and challenges of implementing it. We’ll also share the results of a recent study that compared the outcomes and costs of direct primary care versus traditional fee-for-service primary care. Finally, we’ll introduce you to Tectonic Health, a mobile direct primary care benefit that brings the clinic to you through house calls and pop-up clinics.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct primary care (DPC) is a healthcare model that offers patients direct access to their primary care provider, without sending claims to insurance providers. Instead, there is a flat monthly fee, which covers all or most primary care services, such as clinical and laboratory services, consultative services, care coordination, and comprehensive care management.
DPC providers typically have smaller patient panels, which allows them to spend more time with each patient, offer same-day or next-day appointments, and provide access via phone, text, email, or video. DPC providers also help their patients navigate the complex healthcare system and coordinate with other providers and specialists, as needed.
DPC is different from concierge medicine, another type of retainer-based primary care model. Concierge medicine usually charges a higher fee, in addition to insurance billing, and offers more personalized and comprehensive services, such as house calls, preventive screenings, and wellness programs.
DPCs Success – Study Results
A recent study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine compared the outcomes and costs of direct primary care versus traditional fee-for-service primary care for a cohort of 1,059 patients who were enrolled in a self-funded employer health plan.
The study found that DPC patients had lower utilization of healthcare services, such as emergency department visits, hospitalizations, specialist visits, and advanced imaging, compared to fee-for-service patients. DPC patients also had lower total healthcare costs, saving an average of $2,551 per patient per year, compared to fee-for-service patients.
“DPC patients had a Net Promoter Score of 90, compared to fee-for-service patients who had a Net Promoter Score of 4.“
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The study also found that DPC patients had higher satisfaction with their primary care provider, as measured by the Net Promoter Score, a metric that indicates the likelihood of recommending a service to others. DPC patients had a Net Promoter Score of 90, compared to fee-for-service patients who had a Net Promoter Score of 4.
The study concluded that direct primary care can improve the quality and value of primary care, while reducing the utilization and cost of healthcare services, for both patients and employers.
Why Employers Must Care
Employers who are looking for ways to lower their healthcare spend and improve their employee benefits should consider direct primary care as an option. Direct primary care can offer several benefits for employers and employees, such as:
- Lower healthcare costs: By offering a flat monthly fee for unlimited primary and preventative care, direct primary care can lower the healthcare spend and improve the employee benefits for employers. Direct primary care can also help avoid unnecessary and costly ER visits, hospitalizations, and surgeries, which can save thousands of dollars in the long run.
- Better health outcomes: By providing timely and personalized care, direct primary care can prevent or treat common health issues, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and depression. Direct primary care can also help employees manage their chronic conditions and coordinate with other providers and specialists, so that they can get the best care possible.
- Higher employee satisfaction and retention: By offering a convenient and accessible benefit that can improve their health and well-being, direct primary care can show employees that employers care about them and that they support their work-life balance. Direct primary care can also boost their morale, engagement, and loyalty, which can translate into higher performance and retention.
- Competitive advantage: By offering a unique and innovative benefit that sets them apart from the rest, direct primary care can help employers attract and retain top talent in a competitive market. Direct primary care can also demonstrate their thought leadership and credibility in their field by sharing their insights and experiences with their audience.
Who is Tectonic Health?
Tectonic Health is a suite of affordable direct primary care services for businesses that includes medications, mobile imaging, basic labs, and digital physical therapy. By creating convenient and accessible care, we are able to increase engagement, improve outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
Tectonic Health is not a typical employee health benefit. We offer on-demand in-person primary and preventative care in the home or office. Our solution offers the ecosystem needed, including house calls, pop-up clinics, mobile imaging (x-rays and ultrasounds), digital physical therapy, generic medications, and point-of-care labs.
By partnering with Tectonic Health, you can offer your employees a convenient and affordable benefit that can improve their health and well-being, while reducing your healthcare spend and risk. You can also leverage our expertise and insights to navigate the complex healthcare system and optimize your benefit strategy.
Tectonic Health is the future of primary and preventative care for businesses. If you are interested in learning more about how Tectonic Health can help you achieve your goals, please email us at [email protected] or comment below. We would love to hear from you!