Voices of Self Funding Episode 38 Direct Primary Care: Unlocking Cost Savings and Improving Patient Experience for Self-Funded Plans
Aug 25, 2025
Jeffrey Bloom, a healthcare and employee benefits expert with over 25 years in the field, shares insights on Direct Primary Care (DPC) and its impact on self-funded employers. He discusses significant cost savings, with a 12-18% reduction in healthcare spending in the first year. The DPC model transforms access, allowing members to get appointments within 24-48 hours. Bloom emphasizes improved member satisfaction and productivity through a capitated payment structure, reframing primary care as a strategic tool for enhanced employee well-being.
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Rapid Access Cuts Delayed Care
- Direct Primary Care (DPC) drastically shortens appointment wait times to 24–48 hours.
- Faster access reduces delayed care and improves employee satisfaction and productivity.
Capitated Primary Care Lowers Plan Charges
- DPC functions like a capitated cost-containment layer by absorbing many primary-care interactions.
- This reduces charges to the employer's underlying self-funded plan and avoids balance billing.
Let Physicians See Fewer, Deeper Cases
- Use DPC to reallocate physician time so substantive cases get longer visits.
- Design workflows that let physicians focus on complex care instead of six-minute fee-for-service slots.