Most Employees Can’t Afford Their Deductible — Here’s the Fix

Most Americans have less than $1,000 in the bank. Yet many health plans have deductibles that are five times that amount.

The result? Delayed care. Avoidable ER visits. And a steady climb in premiums year after year.

It’s no surprise that over 60% of personal bankruptcies are tied to medical debt — even among the insured.

A Different Approach

Care+ Direct is built to solve both problems:

• Remove financial barriers so employees seek care early.

• Control costs so premiums don’t spiral year after year.

It’s a simple, powerful design:

1. Embedded Direct Primary Care (DPC) Unlimited same- or next-day visits — $0 copay, $0 deductible. Faster access, more preventive care, fewer downstream claims.

2. $0 Out-of-Pocket Care Coordination Our team helps members find the best care at the best price, guiding them away from unnecessary costs and ensuring quality. (Note: true emergencies, like heart attack symptoms, should go straight to the ER — deductible applies as normal.)

3. Long-Term Cost Control Through FPHC + Coordination When care falls outside DPC, we combine Fair Priced Healthcare rates (often with discounts as low as cash rates) with care coordination to protect the claims fund. This helps prevent large spikes in premiums in future years — one of the biggest pain points for employers today.

The Data Behind It

• 11% average claims cost reduction with care coordination (Johns Hopkins).

• 12–15% savings in DPC-based models from fewer ER visits and improved chronic care (AAFP, Milliman).

• 40–50% lower costs on out-of-network services through FPHC negotiated rates.

A Real-World Scenario

Without Care+ Direct: Maria develops a high fever and intense sinus pressure late in the evening. Not sure where to go, she heads to the ER.

• Cost to Maria: $500+

• Cost to plan: $2,800 billed charges.

With Care+ Direct: Maria calls Care Coordination. They arrange a same-night telehealth visit with her DPC provider, confirm it’s not an emergency, and prescribe treatment.

• Cost to Maria: $0

• Cost to plan: Covered under DPC fee — no ER bill, no hit to next year’s premiums.

Why It Works

When you give employees a clear incentive — “Use these services, pay nothing” — they use them. And when you steer them to the right care, at the right price, the savings are real.

The employer wins with lower claims and stable premiums. The employee wins with better health and zero surprise bills.

💬 Question for benefits leaders: If you could give your employees $0-cost access to high-quality care and help stabilize your premiums, would you take a closer look?