Lower costs with better benefitsBetter healthcare for "The Other Family Doctor"
Since 1994, Atlantic Veterinary Hospital has provided care for the four-legged family members in Marblehead and surrounding communities. Just like we expect of our family doctors, the team has always focused on excellent veterinary care to patients and old-fashioned personal service to clients.
With a core focus on quality care and service, the business also is committed to its team to provide a benefits plan that offers access to quality healthcare especially when their employees need it the most. And for over twenty years since the business started, that effort was always manageable within the ongoing performance of the business.
Costs are risingCHALLENGE: Insurance premiums continue to grow
Atlantic Veterinary Hospital had a traditional carrier plan since the business opened. Insurance premiums would change slightly at annual renewal, but the cost growth was manageable and predictable. However, around 2011, the business began to see a dramatic increase in plan costs along with growth in out-of-pocket maximums for each employee. For single employee coverage, annual health insurance costs – to the employee – was approximate $12,000 – and that was before any co-pays or procedure costs or medications. The trend was rapidly growing, with minimal options presented to leadership through the traditional carriers.
The leadership decided it was time for a change, and took steps to take control and create an EMPLOYER-BUILT healthcare plan.
Think different about healthcareSOLUTION: Taking control with a direct plan
During 2016, leadership began to address the issue of growing costs and declining benefits by implementing Direct Primary Care for the employees. In summary, the employer pays a small monthly membership fee per employee for easy access to their preferred primary care doctors – with no out of pocket costs for employees when they receive care. Because this is not a fee-for-service plan that requires patients to show up for appointments for doctors to get paid, it provides much greater flexibility for scheduling visits and regular communications over the phone, via email or text, and video conferencing.
Additionally, recommended labwork and tests can be completed at local centers and paid on a cash basis, with out-of-pocket costs ranging from $3 to $12 per test.
This approach aligns the doctor and patient’s goals and eliminates wasted time, maximizes resources, and saves everyone money.
Better care and lower costsRESULTS: Saving money with better benefits
Since implementing the Direct Primary Care plan, Atlantic Veterinary Hospital has enjoyed tremendous success with their EMPLOYER-BUILT healthcare plan.
EMPLOYEE PREMIUMS: Reduced by 25%
OVERALL ANNUAL COST SAVINGS: $120,000+
Atlantic Veterinary Hospital is now enjoying Healthcare that Works. Contact us for more details about our approach to helping this employer think differently about healthcare.