Virtual healthcare provider HealthTap launched its organizational program on Monday. It allows employers and other cost-sharing organizations to provide virtual primary care without the complications of traditional insurance.
Sunnyville, California-based HealthTap works with payers, pharmacies, providers, cost distribution organizations, and more to provide primary care in all 50 states.
Through the new direct virtual primary care program, members can access primary care physicians through video access and messaging. They can also receive annual health visits, emergency care and mental health services supervised by primary care physicians. Additionally, the program utilizes AI tools, including AI-driven patient intake.
Direct virtual primary care products provide employers with flexible payment options, including per-member or utilization-based fixed membership fees (such as per-access).
Sean Mehra, co-founder and CEO of HealthTap, said the company is launching direct virtual primary care for organizations for a few reasons.
“First, nearly one-third of Americans don’t have access to primary care, and without it, health will suffer losses and costs increase,” he said in an email. “Secondly, while many people have some level of access, it’s often a lot of friction to primary care doctors, whether it’s long date waiting times, geographical distance traveling to doctors or similar friction. Our direct virtual primary care targeting organizations is designed to change that.”
The program was launched after the latest access to the One Bige Beautiful Bill Act, which allows employers to fund direct primary care membership without compromising employee eligibility for a health savings account.
To track the success of the new program, HealthTap follows several key metrics including return-to-sales rate, patient retention, first visit time, member satisfaction, and wait time.
“We also consider the broader impact on our partners: improved health outcomes, resulting in less downstream costs, partner retention and expansion interests – telling us we are realizing real value,” Mehra added. “This includes tracking clinical quality and outcomes such as completing preventive screening, following up on lab orders, and progress through treatment plans.”
HealthTap has achieved some positive results among the initial partners of the program, including the Christian Health Department, and began working with it in January. With this organization, 96% of members who started with primary care physicians through HealthTap returned to the same provider.
“Partnering with HealthTap is a very positive experience that helps to consolidate the value to our members,” Charity C. Beall, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Christian Healthcare, said in a statement. “The HealthTap team is responsive, stable and kind and truly committed to our mission, providing practical support, including nutrition and lifestyle changes that enable our members to thrive. We look forward to developing our partnerships to drive long-term relationships with primary care physicians.”
Several other providers provide direct primary care. This includes Marathon Health and Eden Health
Photos: Elenabs, Getty Images
