Access to primary care is a deciding factor in good health for people of all ages. However, the importance of receiving regular care often gets overlooked. Learn why primary care is essential for you, your employees, and their families.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services1 (HHS) considers primary care to be “whole-person, integrated, accessible, and equitable health care.” This care should address “the majority of an individual’s health and wellness needs across settings and through sustained relationships.”
Having a primary care provider (PCP) makes it easier to get care and stay current with health maintenance needs. Individuals and families can depend on their primary care physician team for:
A study from the National Association of Community Health Centers2 (NACHC) found that one-third of Americans do not have a PCP. That figure equates to 100 million people, 25% of whom are children.
Lack of access to primary care is a significant barrier for individuals and families in underserved and rural areas. This barrier challenges people of all ethnicities, with white people making up almost 70% of the “medically disenfranchised” population.
The other two-thirds who do have access to a PCP sometimes avoid getting care. The Public Broadcasting Service3 (PBS) uncovered that 40% of adults don’t go to their PCP because of the expense. Others have trouble finding an in-network provider who will take new patients when an older PCP retires. Time and family constraints can also get in the way of good health.
Avoiding primary care often means bigger health problems and higher future costs. It’s a losing strategy that can result in emergency room visits, hospitalization, and/or development of a chronic condition.
Employers can play a role in encouraging better health with benefits that support PCP visits and provider relationships. Designing a health insurance benefits plan that emphasizes primary care has several considerations:
Today’s workplaces have a multigenerational, multiethnic employee base with differing primary care needs. Benefits must cover all life stages, as care needs change over time. It is also important that employees have access to a diverse network of providers in their area. The ideal PCP network offers choice by gender, ethnicity, language, religion, and experience with LGBTQ+ patients.
The COVID-19 pandemic normalized telehealth for millions of Americans of all ages. Access to virtual visits at home — or in a private office space — is an efficient way to address health concerns. This option is particularly beneficial for people with chronic conditions who need periodic check-ins with their PCP. Preventive primary care visits are still conducted in person for annual vaccines and screening tests.
Many executives are guilty of putting their health on hold because of their demanding schedules. However, the loss of a company executive due to illness can have a range of consequences. Investing in executive physicals at a private concierge medicine practice can incentivize primary and preventive care. Executive physicals last several hours, with advanced diagnostics for any suspected health concerns. Patients typically have access to a private office, shower, food, beverages, and optional services like massage.
Any company can create a culture that values employee health and wellness. Depending on the size of your organization, primary care strategies can include:
The Primary Care Collaborative4 (PCC) reports that PCP visits account for a tiny fraction of all health care spending in America. For every dollar spent, less than 5 cents go to primary care.
Increasing the number of people who receive primary care can result in better national health outcomes with fewer preventable diseases. Helping your employees make the most of their health insurance benefits can be the first step.
Improving health literacy for healthier workforces
Millennial health: Engaging and empowering a generation at work
Talk to your client manager today and we’ll help you find the right health plan for your company.
