Employees want direct primary care from their employer plans

Photo: Kiyoshi Hijiki/Getty Images

A nationwide survey shows the majority of consumers would be interested in joining a direct primary care plan if it were offered through their employer. 

Sixty-eight percent of the 1,000 survey respondents were initially unfamiliar with the direct primary care model. When they were told it could lower costs, the number one concern they cited about their current plans, and also improve outcomes and raise satisfaction, 83% expressed interest in signing up, if direct primary care were offered by their employer.

When asked what they're currently most dissatisfied with in their current healthcare option, 63% of private healthcare respondents ranked cost as their least favorable aspect.

The recent study was conducted by Hint Health, which provides services such as the employer direct contracting infrastructure, for direct primary care.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Direct primary care is gaining traction among employers.

For example, Northwell Health recently ditched its traditional insurer in favor of its own Northwell Direct, a direct-to-employer company. The discounted rates Northwell negotiates can yield savings of up to 20%, according to CEO Nick Stefanizzi.

According to Hint Health, the potential ROI for employers is 11% per employee, per month.

In sharing costs, 29% of respondents indicated they would be willing to spend between $1 and $20 per month; 32% agreed to chip in $20-$50; and 19% said they would not sign up for a membership if they had to pay anything. 
 
THE LARGER TREND

The online survey, which was completed by 1,000 U.S. adults 25 years and older, was commissioned by Hint Health and fielded by Dynata, a global market research firm, in October.  All findings were verified by Hint Health's data analytics team, the company said. 

ON THE RECORD

"The healthcare industry touts value-based care as a best practice, but it can be daunting to change from the old, outdated fee-for-service model," said Zak Holdsworth, CEO and cofounder, Hint Health.

"Direct primary care takes the guesswork out of the transition and provides an avenue for physicians and patients to have a better quality of life while focusing more on preventative care and catching health concerns before they become a major issue."
 

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com