Are there creative plan structures that improve health outcomes without increasing cost (e.g., zero-dollar copay clinics, bundled services)?

Yes. Employers can improve health outcomes and control costs by designing plans that prioritize prevention, access, and simplicity. The key is to remove barriers to care, especially for primary and preventive services, while keeping total spending predictable.

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• Zero-Dollar Primary Care Access
  Plans that include $0 primary care visits, whether in person, virtual, or in home, encourage early engagement and reduce emergency or urgent care use. When employees can see a provider without cost barriers, minor issues are addressed before they become expensive claims.
  
  • Why it works: Every dollar invested in primary care saves multiple dollars in future costs.
• Bundled or First-Dollar Coverage
  Instead of paying only after meeting a deductible, bundled plans include high-value services such as primary care, labs, prescriptions, and mental health for a flat monthly fee.
  
  • Example: Pair a MEC or HDHP plan with a primary-care-first solution like Vitable to give employees immediate coverage for everyday needs while maintaining protection for major medical events.
• On-Site or Near-Site Clinics
  For employers with concentrated worksites, offering low-cost or zero-dollar clinics provides convenient, consistent access to care. Even without physical clinic locations, virtual and in-home care options can deliver the same accessibility for distributed or remote teams.
• Direct Primary Care (DPC) or Virtual-First Models
  These models simplify access by offering unlimited visits for a flat fee, without copays or complicated billing.
  
  • Why it works: Employees receive personalized, proactive care that prevents major claims and improves satisfaction.
• Bundled Specialty or Procedure Pricing
  Employers can contract directly for fixed-cost procedures such as imaging, maternity care, or surgeries. This eliminates surprise bills and helps control claim variability.
  
  • Impact: Predictable pricing, higher care quality, and fewer high-cost claims.
• Integrated Mental Health Care
  Embedding mental health services within primary care, rather than offering them separately, improves overall well-being and helps reduce physical health claims linked to stress or depression.
  

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    Better outcomes and higher engagement without increasing costs.

Vitable combines these strategies in one integrated platform. Every plan includes $0 access to primary and mental health care, plus affordable labs and prescriptions, all available through virtual or in-home visits. Employers can pair Vitable with MEC, HDHP, or ICHRA plans to stay compliant, improve outcomes, and keep costs predictable.

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You do not have to increase spending to deliver better care. By designing plans around $0 access to primary care, bundled benefits, and integrated mental health, you can improve outcomes, increase engagement, and manage long-term costs. With Vitable’s primary-care-first model, smarter plan design becomes your best cost-control strategy.

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