How Advanced Primary Care Helps Manufacturers Control Healthcare Costs
April 2nd, 2025 | 3 min. read
Manufacturing jobs tend to be hard on the body, causing a host of negative health impacts. From musculoskeletal conditions due to repetitive movement and heavy lifting to noise-induced hearing loss and respiratory issues caused by breathing in dust, fumes and chemicals, the realities of the workplace put a strain on the workers as well as employer healthcare costs.
HR and C-suite leaders looking to implement manufacturer healthcare cost controls while still offering meaningful benefits to their workforce should consider advanced primary care.
Advanced primary care for manufacturers
Advanced primary care is a value-based solution that helps organizations control the cost of healthcare while offering scalable, tailored benefits. Delivering healthcare to manufacturing employees within this model offers numerous benefits, including the following:
Access
The manufacturing industry doesn’t allow for the most flexible working arrangements. Workers on the plant floor don’t have time to drive across town and sit in a waiting room for a brief appointment.
In addition, manufacturing facilities often operate around the clock, meaning not all employees work traditional hours. With onsite clinics offering extended hours and virtual care, employees can engage with care when they need it.
“With the way healthcare has gone over the last 10 to 15 years, just getting an appointment with your primary provider can be hard,” says Matt Mikolajewski, Senior Benefits Specialist for ADVICS Manufacturing Ohio, Inc. “And not everyone even has a primary physician. The Marathon Health centers set aside appointments for urgent cases. With that access, people can be seen right away, get medicine, feel better faster and come back to work faster.”
When people don’t have to delay or put off health needs, outcomes improve. Marathon Health data shows 67% of patients improve biometric health measures. Workplaces that implement Marathon Health solutions see a 42% reduction in ER and inpatient costs.
Customization
Marathon Health uses industry-leading predictive analytics to quickly monitor and address patient health issues, which allows employers to build a healthcare ecosystem that best fits their workforce needs.
For example, MoveWell by Marathon Health™ addresses musculoskeletal conditions that drive up work-related or outside-of-work injury costs. Employers with onsite clinics can choose to add an MSK provider, such as physical therapist, chiropractor, industrial athletic trainer or massage therapist. They can also access Marathon Health’s physical therapy national network, which includes 12,000 community-based physical therapy centers offering concierge scheduling for quick access.
WorkSafe by Marathon Health™, our occupational health solution, provides onsite, nearsite and virtual access to substance abuse testing, physical exams, injury prevention, surveillance and management and more.
Other optional add-ons include:
Engagement
No two workplaces are alike, and Marathon Health works with employers on engagement strategies to meet your employees where they are. Options for manufacturing clients include:
- Health center staff visiting the factory floor during shift changes
- Integration with existing safety meetings and training sessions
- Clear signage in breakrooms and high-traffic areas
- Collaboration with shift supervisors who can reinforce health messages and encourage visits
- Multilingual outreach that reflects workforce demographics
Franklin International, a manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and polymers for commercial and industrial applications, promoted Marathon Health services via TV screens in breakrooms, mailers sent home and at employee meetings. But Doug Reys, Manager of Compensation and Benefits at Franklin International, says employee referrals really move the needle.
“Employee recommendations are extremely important,” Reys says. “We've had some employees who've utilized Marathon and become advocates. They talk it up and tell their friends, and we've certainly encouraged our employees to do it.”
How APC provides lower manufacturing healthcare costs
Increased access and engagement means more employees visiting with healthcare providers. And with advanced primary care, that’s where the real magic happens. Providers have longer to spend with their patients for health coaching and condition management. What’s often a transactional relationship in the fee-for-service model becomes a transformative partnership focused on long-term health outcomes.
“The last thing anyone wants to do after work is sit in a waiting room for 15 minutes, get called back to sit in a doctor’s office for another 15 minutes, only for the doctor to spend two minutes with you,” Mikolajewski says. “Doctors taking time to understand an individual and talk about their health results leads to satisfaction. And then it comes full circle. Satisfied patients want to listen, make lifestyle changes and do better.”
APC ultimately drives down the cost of care. On average, employers save $1,800 per employee that uses Marathon Heath per year. These savings come from reduced ER and inpatient visits, decreased specialty referrals and optimized medication spending. In addition, employees see a 17% reduction in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
“Look at the number of folks engaging in their wellness and how many are satisfied,” Mikolajewski says. “Look at the number of folks who go to the doctor, thanks to this access. We want to keep costs down, but at the end of the day, what matters is taking care of our people.”