The high and continuously rising cost of healthcare in the U.S. is not a secret for Americans. Most individuals and families are struggling to afford the care they need with their household income.
At the same time, small and medium-sized businesses are finding it difficult and expensive to offer quality healthcare and health insurance without hurting their finances.
Both issues are concerning, and this is where alternatives like employer-sponsored health plans under a Direct Primary Care clinic can help solve the many problems the traditional healthcare system currently has.
In this blog, we are going to give you tips to find and join the perfect clinic, whether you are an employee or an employer.
Understanding What Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Is
Before starting with the tips, we need to understand what employer-sponsored healthcare is and what it involves.
Employer-sponsored healthcare is a type of health care coverage that is provided by an employer to its employees, whether is full-time employees, part-time or another work arrangement. Most companies also include immediate family coverage like children and spouses.
With this type of healthcare plan, the employer will cover a portion of the cost of the insurance, and the employee will pay the remaining amount through payroll deductions.
Health coverage is normally provided by traditional health insurance companies and it’s a way to mitigate healthcare costs for employees and also offer attractive benefits in the care of employers.
One of the advantages of employer-sponsored healthcare is that it can be more affordable than an individual or self-only coverage plan provided directly by the broker or healthcare provider. This is because the employer is able to negotiate better rates due to a large number of employees covered.
Additionally, some employers may offer additional benefits such as wellness programs and health savings accounts, which can help to lower healthcare costs even further.
But even with traditional employer-sponsored healthcare the cost and pocket cost of healthcare can be too high for most families and employers due to the continuous increase. Only in the last decade, the health insurance premiums risen 47%.
The good news is that many healthcare professionals, clinics, and brokers have realized the problem with traditional health coverage and decided to provide better options for Americans. Here we share some tips to help get started with affordable employer-sponsored healthcare.
How To Find Affordable Employer-Sponsored Healthcare: Tips for Employees
1. Ask Your Employer
The first place to start is with your employer. They should be able to provide you with information about the healthcare plans they offer for full-time employees or part-time employees and any associated costs.
If your employer doesn’t offer healthcare benefits, or if the options they provide are not affordable coverage or do not include dependent coverage, you can ask if they would be willing to consider adding or changing their healthcare plan offerings for more affordable health coverage.
2. Shop Around
As we mentioned above, currently, there are better options to find affordable and quality healthcare and health plans that can also be accessible with individual policies.
There are many websites and resources available that can help you compare the costs and benefits of different plans and reduce health care costs. There are also many brokers and doctors that will guide you when selecting the perfect individual plans or family plan.
Even when this is not necessarily employer-provided health coverage, looking into other affordable health services can be beneficial for you and your family, and it can reduce the cost of care.
In Direct Med Clinic, we use a membership system that allows you to have unlimited free visits with your doctor, discounted labs and imaging, and urgent care for members, all at a flat rate of $89 per month without surprise billing. Direct Med Clinic is not affordable health insurance, it is a clinic that will be at your service.
Also remember that the most important part is always education and understanding the company you want to partner with, the health care laws, and your personal interests. Internet and personal reviews are your friends.
3. Educate Yourself & Know What You Need
Knowledge will always be your friend, and it is important when selecting a healthcare plan, whether is employer-sponsored or even contracted as an individual.
As we mentioned before, the traditional way doesn’t have to be the only way to have healthcare access. There are other models, like Free Market and Direct Primary Care that can be better for your situation.
At the same time, you have to know what you want and need for your healthcare plan. For example, if you are an individual with a chronic disease, having a regular doctor that understands your condition and manages your condition might be the way to go.
The most important part is always education and understanding the company or clinic you want to partner with, the health care laws, and your personal interests. Internet and personal reviews are your friends.
Our Recommendation
Every individual and company has a different perspective and needs. Nonetheless, we recommend opting for a free market insurance company or clinic
Under this model, you will be able to have healthcare professionals at your disposal, when you need them, taking away the middleman and delivering accessible and affordable healthcare.
Talking with your employer, HR director, or manager about a Direct Primary Care and a free market option is a good place to start. Ask about the current plans and show interest in this different model and how it will benefit you and even your employer.
If having an affordable employer-sponsored healthcare plan is not an option, you can still acquire one as an individual in a Direct Primary Care clinic like Direct Med Clinic. We are more than willing and excited to take you.
We invite you to continue reading our website to learn everything about our clinic, and get up-front prices, or contact our Doctor Program Liaison David Dorrough to solve questions and start with your membership: 210-864-9988
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