How Direct Primary Care is Transforming Employer Benefits

As healthcare costs continue to rise faster than wages and inflation, many employers are searching for alternatives that can reduce spending while improving employee health outcomes. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is emerging as one of the most effective solutions.

Between 2017 and 2022, the number of employers offering a DPC benefit increased by 800 percent. During that same period, employer-sponsored DPC memberships grew by 133 percent. Employers are finding that DPC provides more accessible and affordable care while cutting unnecessary expenses tied to emergency rooms, specialists, and hospital visits.

For brokers and third-party agencies, this trend represents a major opportunity to strengthen client relationships and deliver measurable value. DPC’s subscription-based model gives employees unlimited access to primary care for a predictable monthly fee. It simplifies care delivery, eliminates billing headaches, and reduces claims for the employer’s health plan.

Employers who have adopted DPC are reporting significant savings. A study commissioned by the Society of Actuaries found that DPC members had 40 percent fewer ER visits and 12.6 percent lower overall claims costs compared to traditional plan members. Beyond savings, employers are seeing higher employee satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and better retention.

As insurance costs continue to climb, brokers who understand DPC and can incorporate it into employer benefits will have a distinct competitive edge. DPC is not a replacement for insurance but a powerful enhancement that provides better care at lower cost.

Brokers and TPAs can lead the next phase of healthcare innovation. Explore how to add DPC to your portfolio and help clients create benefits that work better for both their bottom line and their people.