Taking care of employees is a priority for all employers. A happy, healthy workforce is good for business. Traditional health insurance plans offer valuable peace of mind to employees. Still, they don’t always deliver the kind of cost-effective, timely care that people need. Direct primary care networks are an alternative to traditional health insurance. These networks of highly qualified healthcare providers offer increased access to care for workers at lower costs to employers. 

Rising Healthcare Costs

One challenge that many employers face is the steadily rising cost of employee healthcare benefits. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over the last five years, premiums for employer-sponsored healthcare have gone up by 24%. In 2024, the average annual premium for family health coverage was $25,572, a 7% increase over 2023. Employers usually shoulder the bulk of those costs, paying over $19,000 per year per employee for family coverage. 

Some of these costs are related to inefficient care delivery systems. Millions of people don’t have a primary care provider that they can see for routine appointments. Others face challenges getting in to see their doctor if they have an illness or injury that needs immediate care. Obstacles to primary care appointments can also lead to unnecessary ER visits, the most costly option for same-day care. Individuals who don’t get to their regular doctor may decide to delay care, which can make health conditions worse, resulting in expensive but preventable surgeries and hospital admissions. 

When lack of prompt care causes medical complications, employees may not be able to come to work for days or weeks at a time. Preventable absenteeism creates problems for employers and employees alike, resulting in lost wages, reduced productivity, and increased stress and worry for everyone involved. 

Innovative Solutions for Employee Health

Direct primary care services offer employers a way to provide excellent healthcare to employees without the hassles of dealing with insurance.  

The basic concept of direct primary care as an employee health benefit is simple: employers pay a monthly fee to a primary care provider network. Employees (and covered dependents) can then access that network for a wide range of primary care services. There are no co-pays, per-visit fees, or deductibles. This all-inclusive approach to primary care increases the ease of access to providers, encourages employees to get the care they need, and helps reduce overall healthcare costs.

Same-Day Care

One of the biggest benefits of direct primary care networks is access to same-day services. Employees can get appointments, usually offered in-person or virtually, to deal with unexpected injuries or illnesses as soon as they happen. No waiting to get an appointment or rushing to an ER for a relatively minor injury. The DPC clinic can quickly assess and diagnose health concerns so employees can get busy getting better instead of waiting around for care. 

Care Coordination

Many DPC providers offer care coordination. This means that when an employee needs care from a specialist outside the DPC network, the DPC provider helps them navigate their traditional insurance to access that care. The DPC provider also works directly with the specialist to obtain medical records, so the employee doesn’t have to manage that process. After receiving specialist care, employees can return to their DPC provider for follow-up and ongoing support.

Labs and X-rays 

Direct primary care networks that include full-service clinics may offer labs and X-rays on site. Employees can get bloodwork to diagnose or manage chronic conditions. Consolidating testing and X-rays into the same appointment as the evaluation of an injury or illness means employees don’t need to waste time driving to different offices and waiting around for multiple appointments.

Convenient Scheduling

Many direct primary care services offer 24/7 access to medical care. This is invaluable when unexpected illnesses and injuries arise, but it’s also a big benefit for busy families. Evening and weekend hours allow parents to schedule well-child visits or sports physicals for their covered dependents without taking time away from school or work. Both virtual and in-person appointments are available, so families can choose the most convenient option for their needs. 

Wellness Services

Direct primary care may also offer workplace wellness services that improve employees’ overall health and well-being. In addition to routine and preventive care for physical health, employees may have access to comprehensive health and wellness coaching and behavioral health and emotional wellness counseling through their DPC provider. These services can help individuals with issues involving work-life balance, stress management, and mental health. 

Why Choose Direct Primary Care?

Employers that participate in direct primary care networks see significant benefits, including: 

• Up to a 20% reduction in ER visits
• Better management of chronic conditions, with fewer hospitalizations 
• Lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for employees
• Better health outcomes for acute and chronic conditions
• Early detection of common health problems through regular preventative care
• Minimized lost work time

When employees have access to the full range of primary care services on a schedule that works around their jobs, they can get the care they need without taking time off. They can save their personal leave time for scheduled vacations or family activities instead of using it up on doctor visits. 

Robust benefits packages have long been important tools for recruiting top talent to a workplace. Health insurance is a staple of benefits packages, but traditional insurance brings headaches like finding in-network providers, navigating authorizations, and unexpected co-pays. Direct primary care benefits give employees a one-stop shop for their primary care. Offering your employees  24/7 access to a robust network of primary care providers with no out-of-pocket costs can make your workplace stand out from the competition. 

Direct Primary Care With Next Level Prime

Next Level Prime is a premier direct primary care and urgent care network working with employers in Texas. Under our subscription-style model, we provide your employees with unlimited high-quality care in your community. We have over 45 clinics across Texas, including Houston, Beaumont, Austin, and San Antonio, so employees can choose the most convenient location for them. 

Next Level takes a solutions-focused approach to a healthy workforce. Our team will work with you to develop a customized care access plan that best meets the needs of your employees and their families. Our facilities are staffed with highly qualified providers who can provide your employees and their families with the right care at the right time.

You can count on Next Level Prime to deliver the best practices in workplace wellness programs along with easily accessible health, wellness, and urgent care. To learn more about Next Level Prime, contact our team using our online form.