Why All Self-Funded Employers Should Integrate Direct Primary Care in their Benefits

*** View our infographic on the bottom of this page to learn more!

Why All Self-Funded Employers Should Integrate Direct Primary Care in their Benefits

The sometimes-unpredictable cost of claims accrued over the business year is a huge consideration for self-funded employers. To account for this unpredictability, many self-funded employers have stop-loss coverage. You can make healthcare spend more predictable when you eliminate an entire category of claims.

Self-funding is the option for many employers because it benefits their bottom line. Instead of a guaranteed expensive insurance pay, you bet on saving money when you pay for the claims directly. It’s an even better wager if you integrate Direct Primary Care (DPC) in your offerings.

Self-funded employers become more competitive in the labor market with Direct Primary Care.

DPC offers more affordable healthcare and also guarantees employees better healthcare access. And the real kicker is that it’s unlimited, too. There’s typically an increase employee satisfaction with their health benefits when DPC is integrated.

They’re also more productive – they can text, call or video chat with their provider anytime from anywhere. That means instead of taking PTO when they have a concern, they can first text their provider to see if they can get their question answered or get the proper prescription that way. They’ll decide with their provider – with a same or next-day appointment – if it’s more serious and they need to come in.

Yes, employees more productive and happier when they have an option for Direct Primary Care. Let’s get back to cost savings and predictability for employers.

Self-funded employers can eliminate an entire category of claims with Direct Primary Care.

Direct Primary Care is a healthcare membership. In the membership, patients contract directly with their provider for a low, flat, monthly fee for access. In the traditional insurance fee-for-service world, resources may be wasted, and patients can be nickeled-and-dimed. In DPC, patients have unlimited access to their provider. The membership covers most of their healthcare needs.

For an employer, this eliminates 100% of primary care claims for exchange of the predictable monthly fee. Urgent care claims can significantly decrease, too.

When we actually encourage patients to see their provider often, they develop better relationships with them. All because their access is unlimited. This access allows the provider a deeper understanding of the patient’s history, genetics, lifestyle and more. The main focus becomes prevention and lifestyle change, versus a 10-minute appointment and quick prescription write-up.

This means a significant increase in long-term health, not only managing but reversing chronic conditions, and an overall, long-term decrease in healthcare costs (for you and them).

And, through Direct Primary Care, patients often get access to negotiated cash prices for services like imaging, labs, tests and even specialists. The prices are usually a fraction of what they could get it for with insurance.

DPC requires no copays and patients don’t work to meet a deductible for primary care.

How to encourage employees to opt-into your high deductible health plan.

Those who are proponents of Direct Primary Care believe that insurance shouldn’t be involved in every healthcare transaction. Taking insurance out of primary care saves money, decreases paperwork, and fosters patient-provider relationships. That applies to the self-funded high-deductible option you provide, too.

Direct Primary Care works best with a wrap-around high deductible health plan (HDHP). Consider the Direct Primary Care as the everyday health “coverage.” Paired with DPC, the high deductible health plan acts as catastrophic coverage – something you hope they won’t ever have to use. When employees understand that Direct Primary Care saves them money and gives them more convenience, they’re going to choose it. And since you’ve paired DPC with a HDHP, that means they’re opting into the HDHP, which saves you money, too.

Start with an employee education program.

As aforementioned, employee education is extremely important for uptake and success in a DPC program. It’s hard to dump that on HR, so it’s a great idea to partner with a DPC organization that can handle the administration services, too.

That should include employee education and enrollment, payment processing, hotlines to answer questions, key performance indicator (also written as KPI, measures success in particular activities) reporting and analytics, and more. You also need to choose a DPC organization with experience, a wide network of providers, and relationships with specialists and imaging services to get the best cash prices.

You might consider partnering with Strada Healthcare, the Nebraska-based national leader in Direct Primary Care, with affiliated clinics across the country. Learn more about how we help businesses succeed in their health offerings here.

Patient Relationships with Cassie Krause MSN, APRN

The Strada team was fortunate enough to sit down with our amazing provider Cassie Krause, MSN, APRN to talk about ways Strada’s unique primary care model allows her to build deeper, more meaningful patient relationships than conventional primary care.

If after reading this interview, you’d like to learn more about Strada Healthcare and becoming a patient of Cassie, click here.

Hi Cassie! Excited to talk with you today. What attracted you to healthcare?

Hi there! I went into healthcare because I had an interest in medicine but really, a love for people. It’s so fun to build patient relationships. And if you have a tangible way to help them by helping them with their health, I just love that. I love what I do.

You previously worked as a nurse in the Nebraska Medicine Cardiac Progressive Care Unit and Post Anesthesia Care Unit. What inspired you to leave that and start your own primary care practice?

What I loved about working in the hospital was that you really got to know your patients. You were able to help them in a tangible way when they needed it, when they were really sick. The problem with that is that patient relationships don’t continue when they leave the hospital, you don’t follow them home. So really, I always wanted to go back to school, I always wanted to be a nurse practitioner so that I could build those patient relationships over time and really get to know them.

You received extra training from the Institute of Functional Medicine. How did that go?

I absolutely fell in love with functional medicine about five years ago. It’s a more natural, more holistic way of treating people and I find that it weaves in so well to primary care. The foundation is to live a healthy lifestyle and how important that is for our health over a long period of time. I’ve just fallen in love with it and really, we all usually go into healthcare because we all just want to help people. By using my functional medicine training, I feel like I’m better at helping people.

What is your care philosophy?

My care philosophy is really that I believe my patients deserve to know all of the options. They deserve to know all the things we can do to try to improve their health, whatever their health goal may be. Whether it’s losing weight, having more energy, sleeping better at night, or managing a really serious medical condition. I think there are a lot of things we can offer in terms of health coaching on diet, nutrition, sleep, stress management. All of those things play such an important role in our health. If we can use all those tools and help them through a lot of different resources, a lot of the time they’re able to achieve their health goals. And we can help them in ways that I couldn’t do with conventional medicine alone.

Exactly – and in order to help people buy into their health, the provider needs to have strong patient relationships. That’s a big part of what you love about medicine.

Absolutely. And really, what I love about Strada is that, again, it is those patient relationships. It’s a relationship that takes away the middle person. My patients can text me, can send me messages directly. Their messages come directly to me, and I can send them a message back really quickly and handle it. Again, you just get to know your patients well enough that you know when they need something. I can reference their history and things that have worked well in the past and what didn’t. Strada’s platform provides that in a really easy way.

Does Strada’s model make it more possible to align your practice with your care philosophy?

My practice as a whole does have a smaller patient panel. Initial patient appointments are an hour long. I don’t think you can fix anybody or fix any problem in ten minutes, unless it’s something as simple as an ear infection or strep throat. Otherwise, it just takes time to figure out what my patients are doing lifestyle-wise, what they’re willing to change, lifestyle-wise. So I do have that smaller patient panel and longer appointments so I can really get to know them. I can understand what their goals are, and brainstorm ways I can help them. And also, assess their readiness to change or to implement some of the things I’m recommending.

Strada really allows deeper patient relationships to happen. Again, what Strada allows is increased access to me. It allows my patients to get ahold of me very easily. There are a lot of things that I handle over the phone or via text message. I can answer questions and reassure people or give direction on what they can do to help. And knowing that my door’s always open. I’m always here to help. If they do want to come in for an appointment and really have me take a look at something – I’m happy to. But it’s the convenience aspect of Strada. It’s convenient for me, it’s convenient for the patient to be able to send me messages.

Going more in-depth on that – how does Strada work for the patient in terms of finances? In terms of insurance, copays, deductibles, etc.

I have a hybrid practice, which means I do accept some commercial insurance plans. And, I do have some people who don’t have insurance so I have cash rates for things that I do.

What Strada does is take all the thinking out of copays, deductibles and the pressure of “I need to go to the doctor but I’m not sure I can afford it.” It’s a monthly membership plan of an affordable rate. Then my patients can send me a message any time they need. They don’t have to worry about being able to afford if they can come in. With Strada, you can come in any time you want to. If we need to meet weekly or monthly for a while – all of those things are okay to do. There’s no increase in fees with that. And even the wholesale pricing for labs – it really lowers the cost of any lab work that we need done. These things can be very financially beneficial for the patient, especially in the day and age where most of us have really high deductible plans where we’re paying for a lot out-of-pocket anyway. Strada really makes it affordable for people to have good healthcare, increased access to me, and again, the convenience.

Health insurance is not healthcare. Do you agree?

No it’s not. I try to train my patients that in the functional medicine world, there are a lot of things I ask my patients to agree to. That includes lab work that may not be covered by insurance. We all want our insurance to cover everything, but it doesn’t. But we have to stop letting insurance tell us how to practice medicine, tell us what’s the best care needed for a patient in that situation for that day. When we are able to remove the insurance barrier with Strada, it’s me making that decision along with my patient. We determine the best care for them at that time. Now, I don’t have to wait for a third party, for an insurance company to agree with me or not or to decide later if they’re going to cover it or not. It takes so much of the headache out. So I would agree – health insurance is not healthcare.

Tell me about a time a Strada patient had a great experience with you!

I actually had an experience last night! I had been in contact with a patient for a couple days whose son had a sore on his toe. They had tried lots of things at home, and she said that maybe they’ll need an appointment to come in. And I said, “Why don’t you send me a picture of the toe first and let me just see it.” They actually live out of town and it would’ve been quite a trek for them to come in here. After she sent me a picture, I realized that it didn’t look good. At that point, it required antibiotics. I was able to review his medical history and some of the medicines he was on. I realized that one of the medicines he’s on could’ve contributed to his toe infection. Again, it was just an easy conversation over text message. I recommended that they talk to his dermatologist to rethink his other medication and then prescribe him the right antibiotic to take care of his problem. I was able to do that all in that night, right when they needed it. Mom didn’t have to wait for the office to open in the morning, and most of the time you can’t text pictures to the doctor’s office. With Strada, they were able to talk to me directly. It all comes down to increased access. Mom was really grateful that we were able to do all of that, that night and get treatment going as soon as possible.

What’s something you hear from Strada patients often?

I often hear comments about our low cost for labs. I have a Strada patient who is on hormone replacement therapy. I manage her hormones and check those twice a year. She said her lab savings just in getting her hormones done through Strada pays for her membership, she’s so happy with it. Many of my patients really enjoy being able to text me and let me know if something comes up and to ask for recommendations – she’s one of them! It’s something so easy that I can help her with via text message. There’s no calling an office, waiting for a nurse to call her back, waiting for an office appointment, and no increase in expenses. Those are all benefits she has under her Strada membership. That’s consistently what I hear from patients. It’s so convenient, it’s so helpful, they love the direct access, that they don’t have to talk to ten different people to reach their doctor. And most of the time they don’t even get to the doctor, they talk to support staff. But with Strada, we’re just able to remove all those barriers.

Fantastic, Cassie! We are so glad that Strada gives you the opportunity for you to develop closer patient relationships and be there when they need you. Thank you so much for all you do.

Of course, I’m happy to be a Strada provider.

If you’d like to learn more about Strada Healthcare and becoming a patient of Cassie, click here.

Cassie is also the founder of Transformative Health. View their website here.

NCIG and Strada Healthcare Partnership

Direct Primary Care with Strada Healthcare gives you affordable care options and can actually increase your productivity.

In this article, you’ll learn why keeping yourself healthy, or managing your current care needs, is the best investment you can make in your business – and you might not have thought about it like that before! Really – what if you and your team could get the best benefits of healthcare without the financial burden?

The Strada + NCIG Partnership

NCIG understands your life, the pressures you face, the toll it takes on your body and health. Because of this, as their member, they know it’s their job to help you and your employees by offering you discounted benefits. And so our partnership was born – because what we offer with Direct Primary Care fits the life demands and budget of Nebraska beef producers, not the other way around.

Direct Primary Care: “What’s in It for Me?”

When you’re feeling your best, that’s when your business runs best. But keeping yourself at your best can be time and money-consuming and that’s a huge undertaking, so much so that you wonder if it’s worth it. With traditional healthcare, you have to schedule an appointment for weeks or even months out. Then you wait for an hour once you get there. And when you get there, you’re met with a copay.

Here’s an idea: What if there was a way to make healthcare WORK for YOU?

You Save with Strada Healthcare.

Strada Healthcare isn’t insurance or an insurance replacement. It’s a healthcare membership that gives you unlimited access and huge savings – and with one low monthly price that you pay DIRECTLY to Strada Healthcare (NO insurance, NO copays). Strada Healthcare memberships are best paired with high-deductible insurance plans with a lower premium. As a result, it’s a fantastic business solution.

Adults 19+ are $99/month, and you can visit our site to learn more about our pricing structure for children, spouses and families. And the list below shows what’s covered for that low membership price.

Annual Physical
All Preventative and Follow Up Appointments
Annual Lab Work
Women’s Health
Acute Visits
Chronic Disease Management
Weight Management
Treatment of Sprains and Lacerations
Infant and Child Well Checks
Mental Health
For additional labs and imagining, we have partnerships with providers across the state to offer you negotiated discount pricing.

You Get Unlimited Access with Strada Healthcare.

If you’re already healthy, it’s really important to keep it that way. Or if you have a chronic condition and need help managing it, it all comes easier with access to care. In the list below, you’ll see how Strada Healthcare gives you access.

Strada Healthcare’s affiliate clinics and providers in your local area.
Strada Healthcare’s same-day or next-day appointments.
With your Strada Healthcare membership, you have unlimited visits with your primary care provider – no extra cost.
For minor acute conditions, use 100% free and secure Spruce App to text, call, or have a virtual visit with your Strada Healthcare provider (no extra cost) and get medications if needed.
Little to no wait time for appointments, and longer, more focused visits with your doctor.

Seriously, think about what all of this means for your business! If you and your employees have greater access to care – and you can do it more affordably – everyone will spend less time in a doctor’s office and stay healthy, happy and productive.

Marketing Your Direct Primary Care Practice to Employer Groups

Part of growing any small business is identifying your ideal clients. Direct Primary Care practices are clearly set up to serve at the patient level, but many DPC physicians are learning how they can quickly scale their practice by contracting with local employers to offer memberships to their employees. If you are a DPC physician thinking of working with employer groups of any size, this blog post is for you. We hope some of the points will help you navigate the advantages and potential pitfalls of contracting with businesses for your services. Below, we have listed a few things to consider when marketing your practice to employer groups. To get more information on growing your practice and working with employer groups, download our whitepaper.

If you are offering DPC as a stand-alone benefit, make sure you clearly communicate that you are not a replacement for their health insurance.

Offering DPC as a stand-alone benefit to businesses – especially small ones – can be an amazing value-add for their employees. Employees that have access to direct primary care will have any time access to primary care, and hopefully, all of the care they need can take place in your clinic or virtually. However, you need to consider the way that you position your offering to the enrolling employees. Let’s be honest, many employees don’t pay full attention during their benefit meetings, and if the Direct Primary Care “benefit” is positioned at all like insurance, they may leave assuming that they have full insurance coverage.

DPC integrates very well with health insurance, but your value proposition should change based on the existing benefits structure.

Before approaching a business, consider how they purchase their insurance and learn as much as you can about the plan design before positioning your value. For a small business that does not offer any benefits, you should position your value as a benefit that will be affordable for their employees. Make sure that you have resources available to offer their employees if they ask about purchasing a wraparound insurance policy. This is where having relationships with health brokers can be incredibly valuable. You should also consider recommending that these employees look at health-sharing organizations like Sedera Health Share.
If you are in conversations with large businesses that are self-funded, your value proposition is much different and should be focused on the cost savings surrounding DPC. Use case studies to show how you can deliver these cost-savings and health outcomes. Keep in mind that larger self-funded plans will have more decision-makers in the process, so you will need to have a smooth transition and employee-education plan to work with HR, a reporting and communication plan with the CEO and/or CFO, and a working relationship with the company’s health insurance broker who is responsible for the overall plan execution. If you can work with all of these key components with larger businesses, your sales pitch will be incredibly strengthened. If you are not a part of a DPC affiliate network like Strada Healthcare, consider joining and leveraging our expertise, technology, and experience to help you work with larger self-funded groups.

Leverage the data you have available

Primary Care is an investment, and like any investment, businesses who purchase Direct Primary Care to augment their benefits offering and save money on their health plan expect to know how their investment is performing. It is critically important that you leverage all the data at your disposal to track and report on metrics like cost-savings, utilization, and key health outcomes like biometric data. If you are only working with smaller groups, complex data and reporting become less important, but you should still consider providing reports to the businesses to show utilization metrics and employee satisfaction if possible. Strada Healthcare works with KPI Ninja to aggregate and reports on data for our employer groups – both large and small.

Embrace long sales cycles

One of the benefits of engaging with employer groups is that it can put your practice on a trajectory for exponential growth. However, you will run into more decision-makers along the way which can lengthen the process. Usually, the larger the business, the longer the sales cycle. Embracing this means investing in a good CRM system like Salesforce or Infusionsoft to help you track prospect employer groups. You should have drip marketing campaigns to keep your prospect businesses and brokers updated on your clinic and the trends in DPC, this will help you stay top-of-mind when they are ready to implement DPC.

Join Us In Revolutionizing Healthcare

To read more about marketing your DPC practice, download our recently published whitepaper and consider joining Strada’s Affiliate Network. Whether you’ve been practicing DPC for years or you’re just now thinking about making the switch, our team is dedicated to working with you every step of the way. Contact us to learn more about joining the Strada Affiliate Network.

The Importance of Telemedicine During a Pandemic

The term “telemedicine” has been in the nomenclature of employee benefits and health insurance companies for many years. However, for most patients, telemedicine or “virtual care” has been a secondary option – a service that they would only consider using if they were seeking a more convenient approach to their healthcare. Even though most telemedicine vendors are priced very reasonably and have wonderful service, studies have consistently shown low utilization of telemedicine services even if it is a more convenient and lower-cost option. In fact, a 2016 study showed that 85% of Americans insured through their employer have “access” to virtual care, but rarely do any employers see more than a 3% utilization rate.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly through the United States, the reality of telemedicine is not only gaining more recognition by people around the world, but the use of virtual care is becoming a necessity. For the last week, news outlets and commentators have brought it up countless times as the resource that Americans will need to turn to, especially if they are in quarantine. In fact, this week, President Donald Trump tweeted about telemedicine and encouraged its use.

The Direct Primary Care movement is ahead of the curve when it comes to virtual care and telemedicine and has exhibited for years the benefits that telemedicine can bring patients on a day-to-day basis. DPC doctors – unlike their peers who are only compensated by insurance companies – are incentivized to use telemedicine because they do not make any extra money for bringing a patient into clinic, and do not have to worry about spending time filling out insurance paperwork in order to quickly assist a patient with a routine medical question or prescription refill. If telemedicine can save the doctor time, and make a situation more convenient for the patient, everyone wins…except the insurance companies.

People who are new to using telemedicine may be surprised that doctors can actually treat thousands of conditions virtually. In fact, most medical conditions in the primary care office can be diagnosed by the doctor simply using their eyes and by gathering data. For example, a doctor doesn’t have to physically see a patient in the clinic in order to diagnose them with an infection or to tell them that they should stay home from work because they are exhibiting signs of the flu or COVID-19. In fact, the CDC itself is telling Americans to avoid hospitals and medical clinics if they have flu-like symptoms or are coming down with a fever. Patients with access to telemedicine – and especially patients who have a DPC doctor – do not have to worry about leaving their house to get a medical opinion about their symptoms.

If you have access to telemedicine – whether it is through a DPC physician or not – here is how you should be using it right now.

Check-in with your doctor – Text or call your provider to be sure you understand their updated protocols for dealing with COVID-19. Find out if they have extended hours, and what they need you to do if you begin exhibiting symptoms.
If you are exhibiting symptoms – You need to contact your provider immediately and let them know what type of symptoms you are experiencing. They will know what necessary steps you should be taking.
If you need to see your provider in the clinic – You should only go see your doctor in the clinic if you call or text them in advance to set the appointment. If you have a fever or are experiencing symptoms, make sure you wear a mask to the clinic and let your provider know in advance that you are coming.
If you need routine care – You should use telemedicine for any routine care, because going into the doctor’s office will only increase your risk for exposure to illness. If you have a question about pink-eye, a rash, a prescription refill, or spring allergies, use telemedicine for this instead of an office visit.
Stay up to date – if you have any questions about the COVID-19 outbreak, your provider is there for you to answer questions.

Right now during the Corovonavirus pandemic, patients and doctors both need to embrace the movement of telemedicine. Using virtual care to avoid emergency rooms and the urgent care will not only save you money, but it could save you from a serious illness.

White Paper: Growing Your Direct Primary Care Practice

Inside you will learn:

Why data is key to DPC and how to leverage insights for greater employer engagement.
How businesses purchase insurance so you can market to them effectively.
Tips for marketing your practice, including building relationships with insurance brokers.
How cash-priced bundles can help strengthen DPC programs.

Go to Download Page by clicking here.

Five Ways Employers Can Reduce Their Healthcare Spending

Direct Primary Care 5 Reasons Employers Healthcare costs are on the rise. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management shows that most large employers in the U.S. expect their healthcare costs for 2020 to increase by at least 6% if they don’t make any adjustments, and by 5% if they adopt cost management initiatives. Plan premiums and annual cost increases are often higher for small and midsize employers who lack the bargaining power of bigger corporations. In fact, most small businesses pay about 8%-18% more than large companies for the same health insurance plans, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In order to be a successful small business leader, it’s important to effectively evolve your healthcare benefit strategies to enhance your employees’ health and well-being while curbing costs. The five following strategies can help set you on the right path for success:

Design a plan around healthcare instead of health insurance – Direct primary care (DPC) is an innovative approach to healthcare that removes insurance from the primary care setting. The model gives patients unlimited access to primary care services and the ability to visit with their primary care providers as often as they need, all for a flat monthly fee. DPC can provide a more cost-effective alternative to help you manage your employees’ health expenses by removing third-party payers.
Give employees unlimited access to primary care – In addition to allowing your employees to visit their primary care providers during regular business hours, consider implementing a plan that allows your employees to call or text their providers after-hours, including on weekends and holidays. This untethered access to high-quality care helps keep staff healthier, happier and more productive.
Let your employees’ healthcare providers manage their chronic conditions – As a small business leader, you put a lot of effort into keeping your business running smoothly. You shouldn’t have to spend time managing your employees’ health concerns, too. When minor illnesses or other medical issues arise, encourage your staff to consult with their primary care providers, either in person or via telemedicine. Addressing health needs as they arise helps keep staff members working at their best and allows them to miss less work.
Eliminate E.R. and urgent care visits – Providing access to regular, high-quality care also helps eliminate trips to the emergency room (E.R.), where wait times can be lengthy, copays can be high and waiting rooms can pose a higher risk of exposure to other illnesses.
Decrease downstream claims – DPC offers increased patient access, extended time with doctors and physician-led healthcare navigation at a more affordable flat monthly fee than traditional healthcare coverage. This untethered access to high-quality care not only helps eliminate E.R. and urgent care visits, but it also creates a culture of employees who are proactively engaged in their health.

To protect against large, unanticipated costs associated with serious illnesses or injuries, we also recommend offering a catastrophic or high-deductible insurance plan for your staff. While specialist visits, dental, vision and hospital care are not included in DPC memberships, they can also be covered by health insurance policies to help manage costs. For more information on reducing your employer healthcare spending, contact Strada Healthcare.

Five Benefits of Direct Primary Care for Small Businesses

Most small businesses today spend approximately 8%-18% more than large companies for the same health insurance plans. As a small business leader, you have an opportunity to effectively manage your company’s healthcare costs by embracing direct primary care (DPC). DPC is a popular alternative to traditional fee-for-service insurance billing that provides patients with unlimited access to primary care for an affordable flat monthly fee.

There are many reasons why DPC can be a good fit for your small business. Below, we discuss the top benefits:

1. Lowers healthcare costs — Many employees with high-deductible health plans avoid care or are subject to large bills until their deductibles are met. A DPC membership can be very cost-effective because it provides your employees with 24/7 access to primary care for a flat monthly fee. Providing access to regular, high-quality care also helps eliminate trips to the E.R., where wait times can be lengthy, copays can be high and waiting rooms can pose a higher risk of exposure to other illnesses.

2. Provides access to convenient, timely care — In addition to visiting DPC clinics during regular business hours, your employees can call or text their primary care providers after-hours, including on weekends and holidays. This means they get access to high-quality care, anytime, anywhere, which can be especially valuable for employees with chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

3. Reduces absenteeism and improves productivity — With no copays, barriers to care or annual premium increases, your employees can access their primary care providers when and where they need it. When your employees have minor illnesses or other medical issues, their doctors can often consult with them via phone or telemedicine, reducing the need for in-person visits. This means they miss less time away from work and are therefore more productive.

4. Creates more competitive benefits packages — Nearly half of Americans, or 49% of the U.S. population, receive employer-sponsored health insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The lower cost of DPC means you can offer more competitive health benefits for current and prospective employees, while reducing your overhead.

5. Promotes a healthier workplace — Providing your staff with access to affordable, high-quality care helps create a culture of employees who are proactively engaged in their health as well as emphasizes your company’s commitment to employee wellness.

As healthcare costs continue to rise year over year, DPC can provide a more cost-effective alternative to help you manage your employees’ health expenses. If you’re ready to break free of the conventional model and bring DPC to your small business, we can help. Contact us to learn more about Strada Healthcare’s Direct Primary Care memberships and pricing.

Bringing Data Analytics to Direct Primary Care

Since 2016, Strada Healthcare has been a leading force in developing cost-effective ways to track cost savings and health metrics for employer groups. Like other Direct Primary Care companies, we know that providing unlimited access to primary care with no co-pays or deductibles will inevitably improve health outcomes and avoid unnecessary medical expenses, but we committed early on to invest in our technology and data analytic solution to prove this to employer groups. To do this, Strada Healthcare partnered with KPI Ninja to develop a data analytics solution by creating connections with our main technology vendors like Hint Health, Spruce, EHR, and worked diligently with KPI Ninja’s team to begin tracking claims data, emergency department redirects, inpatient admits and our extensive list of biometric data.

In June, 2018, Dr. Joel Bessmer presented at Hint Summit and showed other Direct Primary Care some of the metrics that Strada follows and charts on how cost metrics and biometric levels all improved for a 12 month employer case study.

We are still committed to growing the presence of data analytics in Direct Primary Care, and recently launched full dashboards for employer groups so that they can have a live view of their spending and aggregate health data anytime they want to look at it. We are working close with KPI Ninja to make sure that other clinics have access these capabilities as well, because we know it is important to the movement as a whole.

When business owners consider adding Direct Primary Care for their employees, they deserve more than a good story. And when DPC physicians want to show business owners more than a story, they deserve access to technology at an affordable price. Strada Healthcare is working hard to make this a reality.

Nebraska to Pilot Direct Primary Care in 2019 for State Employees

In a monumental step for the Direct Primary Care movement, on April 11th Nebraska lawmakers passed LB1119 which creates a pilot program to offer Direct Primary Care to state employees starting in 2019.

The bill was sponsored by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, who has been a longtime advocate for DPC since he initially lead the charge for LB817 which helped bring the first Direct Primary Care clinics to the state. The pilot program is set to last for three years and will begin in fiscal year 2019-20. State employees who choose Direct Primary Care will have multiple insurance wraparound options, include at least one high-deductible and one low-deductible plan. The University of Nebraska system, state colleges and community colleges are not included in the pilot program.

Employers all over the state are searching for answers to rising insurance costs. Nebraska, like many other states, is facing these increasing healthcare costs and the Legislature believes that Direct Primary Care will be one of many solutions to control costs. By giving employees better access to their primary care physician, Nebraska hopes that state employees will become healthier, and as a result, decrease their need for urgent cares, emergency rooms and specialists.