Advanced Primary Care: A Tool for Reducing Healthcare Costs

HR leaders actively seek solutions to lower increasing healthcare costs, which are projected to rise over 5% for the third straight year. As premiums and expenses climb, HR leaders need strategies that deliver meaningful results, not another point solution. 

Employer-sponsored advanced primary care (APC) offers an innovative approach to driving significant savings, while improving health outcomes and boosting employee satisfaction.

How Does Advanced Primary Care Lower Costs?

APC programs operate on value-based care agreements, incentivizing providers to improve health outcomes, rather than billing for volume. This results in more efficient care delivery and predictable costs for employers.

APC prioritizes regular check-ups, screenings and proactive management of chronic health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Addressing issues early prevents costly emergencies, hospitalizations and advanced disease treatments. 

By focusing on access, experience and outcomes, advanced primary care not only drives down expenses, but fosters a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Convenient Access Overcomes Barriers

Many people avoid traditional doctor visits not only because of the cost, but also because they’re inconvenient. 

APC models focus on eliminating barriers and making it as seamless as possible to get care right when employees need it. Employees can typically schedule same- and next-day appointments, rather than waiting nearly three weeks in the traditional healthcare system. Once at the health center, members spend five minutes or less waiting to see a provider.

Without ties to the traditional healthcare system, employers have the flexibility to design plans to meet the specific needs of their workforce. Options include building health centers at the worksite—enabling employees to access care without leaving work—granting access to an existing network of health centers strategically placed near employee homes, and providing 24/7 virtual care. Some employers offer all three options.

Awesome Experience Drives Engagement

Advanced primary care addresses virtually all of your employees’ healthcare needs. Covered members can access the following services from a single health center:

• Preventive care
• Mental health
• Physical therapy
• Sick and urgent care
• Value-based referrals for specialty care
• Chronic condition management
• Onsite medication dispensing where available
• Onsite labs and testing

Most APC programs eliminate or reduce out-of-pocket costs for employees by waiving copays for primary care visits or offering low-cost services, making care more affordable and attainable. Employees can also obtain common medications and lab testing at little to no cost.

The lack of friction makes for a more enjoyable experience. To date, Marathon Health’s APC model enjoys a 95% patient satisfaction rate. 

Better Outcomes Result in Savings

When employees love the experience, they're more likely to seek care when needed, leading to better outcomes. 

APC emphasizes prevention and early treatment, while using data to spotlight trends across the organization and build targeted treatment plans to address chronic conditions.  

For example, employees with Type 2 diabetes— for many a reversible condition with lifestyle changes — face medical costs 2.6 times higher than their non-diabetic peers. Employers can tackle this challenge by proactively engaging employees and connecting them to a diabetes management program offered through their advanced primary care provider.

Marathon Health data shows 67% of members with at least one high-risk condition have improved their biometric measures. These improved health outcomes translate into fewer sick days, increased productivity, and lower long-term costs for employers.

The Savings Speak for Themself

Marathon Health’s advanced primary care model offers a data-driven, value-based solution to help organizations control healthcare costs while offering scalable, tailored benefits. 

Marathon Health customers save an average of $1,800 per employee and reduce emergency room costs by 42%. Since partnering with Marathon Health nine years ago, Duncan Aviation has saved more than $23 million on employee health costs due to improved outcomes. 

Ultimately, employer-sponsored advanced primary care lowers healthcare costs by addressing the root causes of excessive spending and prioritizing efficient, preventive care. By focusing on early intervention, managing chronic conditions and removing barriers, APC delivers savings while improving employee health.