Leveraging Primary Care to Kickstart Health Journeys

Having a primary care physician is one of the most important things an individual can do for their health, as it helps ensure they receive regular check-ups, aids in preventive care and allows for intervention before more intensive treatment is required. However, according to a recent study by nonprofit organization Kaiser Family Foundation, 17% of women and 28% of men in the United States don’t have a primary care physician. Compounding concerns, there is a scarcity of primary care physicians across many regions of the country, which the Association of American Medical Colleges expects to worsen through 2025. As a health plan sponsor, employers are in a unique position to influence employees to establish relationships with their primary care physicians.

The Role of a Primary Care Provider

A primary care provider (PCP), also known as a primary doctor, is an employee's main health care provider in nonemergency situations. Their PCP typically provides them with medical care over a long period of time, helping them stay healthy, manage their care and recommend specialists when needed. Communicating the importance of having a well-established, trusting relationship with a doctor is crucial to an employee's long-term health, and can also save them and the organization money in the long run. Research has shown that patients who have a good relationship with their doctor receive better care and are happier with the care they receive.

The Value of Primary Care

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7 out of 10 Americans die each year from chronic diseases, many of which are preventable. When preventive care is used and illnesses and diseases are caught early enough, individuals can avoid or better control their health problems. Primary care providers are able to address and identify a wide variety of health problems, and help patients navigate the appropriate next steps in care by referring them to specialists promptly. They're able to monitor and adjust courses of care and treatment plans for extended or chronic conditions.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private insurers—except for plans that have been grandfathered—are required to cover certain preventive services without any cost to the patient. Medical services such as immunizations, screening tests, medications and any other services that would prevent disease, injury and premature death fall under the umbrella of preventive care. Preventive care should be incorporated into employer-sponsored health plans to lessen the cost and number of future medical claims by helping employees and their families stay healthy, while also complying with the provisions of the ACA. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided lists of preventive services that must be covered by most health insurance plans. Lists are available for adults, women and children, as covered services depend on age and gender.

Click here for the lists of covered preventive care services.

Maximizing Your Health Plan

How can your organization take advantage of the cost-saving potential of some of these preventive care services?

Ways to Maximize Your Healthcare Investment

• Educate your employees on the preventive care services that your health plan offers, their potential risk factors and the benefits of preventive medicine.
• Find ways to make preventive care more convenient for your employees by working with nearby clinics, developing an on-site clinic or hosting a mobile van for vaccinations and screenings.
• Educate your employees on preventable health conditions. Your AssuredPartners New England, Inc. representative can provide you with payroll stuffers, flyers and posters to help educate your employees.

When preventive care services are combined with a lifestyle that is focused on wellness, potential savings can be realized by both employers and employees. Ultimately, preventive care provides the benefit of saving lives and improving the quality of your organization's health for years to come. How is your organization promoting the importance of preventive care to your employees? Connect with your AssuredPartners team for individualized guidance and support.