Hint Connect expands direct primary care network in Colorado with Nextera Healthcare

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Digital Health company Hint Health, which is involved in the direct primary care movement, has announced a partnership between Nextera Healthcare, Colorado's first DPC provider and one of the fastest-growing DPC organizations in the U.S., and the company's DPC network, Hint Connect.

The partnership, said Hint, will allow Nextera Healthcare to more easily support large employers and health plans across the country while deepening Hint Connect's network in Colorado. The company said Colorado is currently one of the strongest national DPC markets.

According to a Gallup poll, 70% of Americans believe the U.S. healthcare system is in a "state of crisis." Lack of transparency, difficulty finding a good doctor, and inefficiencies in the system are a few of the key factors noted as a cause of that increasing dissatisfaction.

DPC purports to address these issues by centering patients' healthcare on a relationship with a primary care clinician, according to Hint.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Internal Hint Health data found that Colorado is leading the country when it comes to the number of clinics per capita, with nearly 90 DPC practices that serve 63,000 patients. 

What Hint Connect is attempting is to power the expansion of that growing DPC network by enabling employers and third-party administrators (TPAs) to easily find and develop direct care provider relationships to support their employees and dependents. This empowers DPC physicians/providers to grow on their own terms, the company said.

Partnering with Nextera Healthcare will allow for further growth of this advanced primary care model available to Colorado physicians looking to build on their current DPC membership, which can improve health outcomes and lower healthcare costs for patients and employers, according to Hint Health.

Nextera Healthcare was founded over a decade ago with the goal of restoring the patient and physician relationship and removing the barriers patients had to care. Nextera said it's paramount that patients have unlimited visits without a co-pay or bill; virtual care access to their providers via text, email and video chat without a bill; and same-day access for urgent issues, including virtual after-hours access without a charge.

Nextera Healthcare currently operates in 10 states across the U.S., with a fast-growing network of DPC physicians and healthcare teams who are serving employees throughout the country.

THE LARGER TREND

The partnership concludes a significant year for Hint Health as the company recently acquired AeroDPC, also based in Colorado, in November. 

In June 2021, Hint announced a $45 million investment led by Banneker Partners and Frist Cressey Ventures. The investment allowed for the further development of Hint's operating system technology for core customers and an expansion of its national DPC network, Hint Connect. 

A November survey from Hint Heath showed 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.

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.

ON THE RECORD

"We have supported Nextera Healthcare's growth in the Colorado market (and beyond) for years through HintOS, and have seen the positive impact of DPC on the community through their team's work," said Hint Health CEO Zak Holdsworth. "Our partnership with Nextera Healthcare is vital in integrating our platform at a local level and puts DPC benefits in the hands of employers and innovative health plans by connecting them to the extensive DPC network in Colorado and beyond."
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com