Cutting Costs, Boosting Care: Why Employers Are Turning to Direct Primary Care for a Healthier, More Engaged Workforce

Rising healthcare costs continue to strain employers and employees alike — and with the average annual premium for family coverage nearing $27,000, benefits leaders are searching for new models that deliver both affordability and accessibility. At the same time, workplace well-being has expanded beyond basic coverage to include mental health, telemedicine, and preventive care, reflecting the broader cultural and technological shifts transforming healthcare delivery.

How can HR leaders make smarter, more human-centered decisions about benefits in this evolving healthcare landscape — and what does a truly “future-ready” benefits strategy look like?

HRSouthwest Conference 2025 recently brought together HR innovators and business leaders to explore the evolving landscape of employee well-being. At the event, Daniel Litwin, the Voice of B2B at MarketScale, caught up with Kyle Sheehan, VP of Strategic Growth at MaxHealth Direct Primary Care, to explore how direct primary care is helping companies balance cost control with genuine care access. Together, they explored how membership-based healthcare models are offering employers predictability, better utilization, and a renewed focus on employee wellness.

What you’ll learn…

• Predictability Over Premiums: Direct primary care (DPC) provides a more stable cost model for employers, helping offset rising insurance premiums while improving access to care.
• Access and Engagement: With 24/7 telemedicine and membership-based care, employees are more likely to use their benefits appropriately — reducing absenteeism and unnecessary ER visits.
• Mental Health as a Core Benefit: Remote work and social disconnection have heightened the need for mental health support; employers are rethinking benefit structures to include accessible, stigma-free options.

Kyle Sheehan is a seasoned healthcare growth executive with over a decade of experience driving business development across imaging, mental health, and direct primary care sectors. He has led high-performing sales and marketing teams, built strategic provider partnerships, and expanded service offerings for companies such as MaxHealth DPC, Elevate Health Clinics, and Gateway Diagnostic Imaging. Known for his consultative sales acumen and adaptability across Texas and other markets, Sheehan specializes in scaling patient access solutions that merge fiscal responsibility with improved care delivery.

Article written by MarketScale.