How advanced primary care is reshaping healthcare access

As healthcare costs continue to rise, employees struggle to access timely, high-quality care. About half of U.S. adults say it’s difficult to afford healthcare, and 25% of adults have put off seeking care because of the cost. And it’s not just the cost. Long wait times, limited access in certain geographic areas, and fragmented healthcare systems lead to people delaying care.

A delay in care can lead to downstream effects like avoidable emergency room visits, costly complications from unmanaged chronic conditions, and the mental and emotional toll of living with untreated symptoms.

For HR leaders and benefits decision-makers, investing in modernized primary care solutions can help remove barriers, improve employee health, and reduce costs. We recently sat down with the team at One Medical – a Nava preferred partner – to talk about advanced primary care and how it’s changing the game for both employers and employees. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the takeaways from that webinar, including:

• Why healthcare access needs to change
• How advanced primary care can reduce costs and improve outcomes
• What employers can do to modernize healthcare access for employees

Why is traditional healthcare access failing employees?

Despite rising employer healthcare spending, many employees struggle to access the care they need. Several challenges contribute to this issue:

• Rising healthcare costs: Employer healthcare costs are projected to rise 7% per year on average.
• Long wait times: On average, it takes 21 days to see a primary care physician (PCP), forcing employees to seek costly urgent care or emergency visits.
• Point solution fatigue: Many HR teams manage multiple fragmented healthcare benefits, making navigation difficult for both HR and employees.
• Lack of access to primary care: One-third of Americans do not have access to a primary care physician (PCP).

What’s the impact of poor healthcare access?

When employees face barriers to accessing timely primary care, the consequences can be severe, leading to increased costs and declining health outcomes. Delayed care results in worsening health conditions, higher insurance claims, and ultimately, a more expensive healthcare burden for both employees and employers.

Research shows that improving access to primary care can lead to:

• 5.5% decrease in hospital admissions when primary care is easily accessible
• 11% fewer ER visits for employees with a primary care provider
• 7% fewer surgeries due to better preventive care

What is advanced primary care?

Advanced primary care is a more accessible, patient-centered approach that removes friction between employees and healthcare providers. It focuses on longer doctor visits, 24/7 virtual care, and proactive chronic disease management. Key features of advanced primary care include:

Longer, more personalized visits

Employees get 30-minute+ appointments instead of rushed 10-minute visits. This gives them time to discuss symptoms, get answers to all their questions, and truly feel supported.

Same-day and next-day appointments

It shouldn’t take weeks to see a doctor. With same-day and next-day appointments, employees can get the care they need, when they need it.

24/7 virtual care

Through 24/7 virtual care, employees can do everything from asking medical questions to getting prescriptions, no matter the time of day. Consider what a game changer this is for people who have limited access to transportation or can’t make it to a provider during regular working hours.

Less specialist referrals

Fewer unnecessary referrals reduce overall healthcare costs.

A single healthcare home base

Instead of navigating multiple point solutions, employees can receive primary, mental, and preventive care in one place.

How can employers benefit from advanced primary care?

Employers can save costs and improve employee health by offering easier access to primary care. Key benefits include:

• Fewer ER and urgent care visits: With same-day access to primary care, employees avoid expensive emergency visits.
• Lower overall healthcare costs: Preventive care reduces costly chronic disease management expenses.
• Lower rate of absenteeism: Employees who regularly see a PCP have fewer absences and better overall well-being.
• Increased ROI on benefits spend: Through One Medical case studies, they found that companies investing in advanced primary care report up to 45% cost savings on healthcare expenses.

A One Medical case study: cost savings in action

A study evaluating the impact of advanced primary care on employee health outcomes and cost savings revealed significant improvements. Employers implementing advanced primary care solutions saw measurable reductions in unnecessary healthcare utilization and expenses.

Case study findings:

1. 57% reduction in urgent care visits
2. 26% fewer specialist visits
3. 4.3% medical cost savings ($18 PEPM) for near-site clinic employers
4. 45% medical cost savings ($167 PEPM) for onsite + near-site clinics

These findings illustrate the tangible benefits of prioritizing primary care access. By providing employees with easy-to-access, high-quality primary care, employers can drive better health outcomes while reducing costs.

The future of healthcare access for employees

Healthcare access is evolving, and forward-thinking employers are leading the charge. Key trends shaping the future of primary care include:

• Expanded clinic hours: More evening and weekend availability to accommodate employees' schedules.
• Women’s health & family planning focus: Increased training in menopause and reproductive health.
• Chronic disease management: Proactive monitoring for conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
• Behavioral health integration: More mental health support built into primary care.

Final thoughts

Traditional healthcare models are failing employees, leading to higher costs and poorer outcomes. By modernizing primary care, HR leaders and benefits teams can:

• Enhance employee health and well-being
• Reduce unnecessary healthcare spending
• Provide a better overall benefits experience

With the right approach, better healthcare access is within reach—for both employers and employees. If you’re ready to start the conversation, our team of employee benefits experts can help.Get in touch here.

Watch the full session on transforming healthcare access and member experience below, and register for our upcoming webinars here.