Human Resources Health Plan Purchasing Process

During the purchasing process of health plans for employees, Human Resource Managers have the crucial task to understand how the plan works and to determine if it is worth the investment. That’s why Direct Med Clinic believes it is essential to produce feedback directly from the companies that have already made the important decision to choose Direct Med Clinic as their healthcare providers. We want future employers searching for a healthcare provider to read this customer review and testimonial from Cool Component, a San Antonio Heating and Air Conditioning company, and be confident about the reasons why you should choose Direct Med Clinic as your number one healthcare option.

Direct Med Clinic and Direct Primary Care Membership

Direct Med Clinic uses a membership model called Direct Primary Care, an innovative way of paying for healthcare that involves a direct transaction between the doctor and patient. For a monthly membership of only $79 per month per employee, members have frequent and unlimited access to the healthcare providers of Direct Med Clinic for $0 per visit. We also offer a virtual membership. The membership model is an affordable alternative to expensive health insurance plans and programs as a result of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare that are typically more costly due to higher premiums and deductibles. Direct Med Clinic uses the Direct Primary Care model, which helps employers cut costs by encouraging preventive care and health maintenance for employees, which in turn helps to increase employer retention, worker productivity and reduce workers’ comp claims.

Employee Retention Increases with Health Plan Satisfaction

A national survey from America’s Health Insurance Plans about employer-sponsored health coverage found that satisfaction of health benefits is a deciding factor for over half of Americans (56%) on whether to stay on their job or not.

Some of the key findings presented in the study also show that:

• Most were concerned about rising costs
• The benefits are more important than the cost of plans
• The benefits that matter most were prescription drugs, preventive care, and emergency care
• Employer-provided coverage is more important for retention than recruitment
• Consumers underestimate employer contributions, but employer favorability significantly increases with knowledge
• The top value-added services employers can provide are wellness discounts and health or flexible savings accounts
• Greater market competition is preferred over government involvement

Many Healthcare Benefits for Low Healthcare Costs

Since Direct Med Clinic has affordable membership prices, our members are relieved not to have rising costs as a concern. Members have primary care and urgent care needs tended to for $0 per visit. Also, employer memberships include employment physicals, work injury evaluation, and treatment, at no additional cost. Members can have their diabetes, hypertension, work injuries, and other conditions managed at one central location, bringing continuity between doctor and patient.

What is Most Important for An Employee Health Plan to Cover?

The survey revealed the benefits that matter most to employees include prescription drugs. President of Cool Component, Ernesto Gomez, expressed his satisfaction with Direct Med Clinic’s membership and the affordable access to prescription drugs. Mr. Gomez believes that covering much of the cost of prescription drugs – from antibiotics to treatments for a chronic illness or rare disorders, is a plus for him and his company.

Managing Chronic Health Conditions Leads to Employee Retention

Not only is access to prescription drugs of high importance in determining whether an employee will take the job and stay, but so are preventive and wellness services. Direct Med Clinic helps members to maintain health and wellness and employs effective methods for early detection of any potential illnesses or disorders through preventive care.

Increased Utilization with Direct Med Clinic

Employees with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, need greater access to doctors to help manage their diseases. Bexar County has a higher rate of certain chronic diseases than the rest of Texas that includes diabetes and heart disease, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services Center for Health Statistics. San Antonians are struggling to manage their chronic diseases.

In 2014, 14.2% of Bexar County adults were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, higher than the national average of 9.3% and the number of diabetic amputations in Bexar County has risen in the past two years to 1,909 cases.

“I like that they don’t just say to lose weight and exercise. They take the time to discuss how I can do this in my life.”

President Ernesto Gomez, Cool Component

Studies show that patients with chronic medical conditions who go to the doctor more often with membership models have their diseases managed better than those without constant access, and ultimately lower emergency room and hospital utilization. Mr. Gomez from Cool Component says, “I like that they don’t just say to lose weight and exercise. They take the time to discuss how I can do this in my life.” Direct Med Clinic focuses on a preventive medicine approach through Direct Primary Care with the primary goal of keeping patients out of the emergency room and hospital. 

Discussing Lab Results and Health Improvement

In addition to appreciating the personalized time spent with discussing disease management, Mr. Gomez’s named reasons for satisfaction with Direct Med Clinic include the time the clinic takes to discuss lab results and how to improve health. Direct Med Clinic uses in-house labs, which means that, unlike traditional models of healthcare, members get tests at an affordable price. After results return to the clinic, providers take the time to interpret data with our members and provide a swift option for treatment when necessary. The clinic suggests health changes based on our in-house lab results.

Customer Satisfaction

Our virtual workers’ comp care can take care of 85% of work injuries. With unlimited free visits, onsite clinics, and 24/7 phone or virtual care technology, we have changed utilization by decreasing expenditure. Our goal is to be more accessible to employees who are challenged with time, travel and financial constraints, as well as getting them back to work as soon as possible. Mr. Gomez also encourages his employees to use the clinic. “I’ve gotten two family members to start using the clinic services.” Mr. Gomez finds great satisfaction with having chosen Direct Med Clinic, and we hope you will too!

About Cool Component

Cool Component provides professional installation of quality air conditioning, heating and ventilation services for companies, homes, and businesses. A certified engineer determines what type of unit, size, and brand will make for the best installation of the unit into a residential or commercial property. To guarantee a longer life expectancy of the equipment and to ensure the efficiency of operations, the company also provides scheduled maintenance programs. Their services include plumbing, electrical, and weatherization.