News Summary
Next Level, a Texas-based urgent care provider, introduces the Next Level Prime program, addressing the increasing healthcare costs with proactive care solutions for employers. The initiative reports significant savings in healthcare claims and reduced emergency room visits, highlighting its effectiveness in managing rising healthcare expenses. With a focus on employee wellness, the program enhances productivity and retention rates, while also providing accessible healthcare services across Texas. In collaboration with schools, it even offers behavioral health support for educators, emphasizing its commitment to improving community health.
Texas is witnessing a significant shift in the way healthcare benefits are managed, driven by innovative solutions aimed at controlling escalating costs. Next Level, a Texas-based company operating urgent care clinics, is at the forefront of this change with its newly developed healthcare benefits program called Next Level Prime.
Next Level has over 800 employees and has been grappling with a fiscal challenge; healthcare claims have surged by 30% year-over-year, coupled with rising pharmacy spending. In response to these unsustainable financial pressures, the organization launched Next Level Prime, leveraging the principles of direct primary care (DPC) to enhance healthcare access while managing costs effectively.
In 2024, organizations participating in Next Level Prime collectively realized substantial savings, amounting to $26 million in healthcare claims. This program is strategically designed to facilitate early access to care, significantly reducing the likelihood of costly emergency situations. Data indicates that more than 7,100 Prime members would have resorted to emergency room visits without the benefits of the program, leading to an astonishing avoidance of ER expenses totaling $19.5 million.
Next Level Prime adopts a proactive approach to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and lifestyle interventions. A key component of this initiative is a comprehensive weight management program, which provides personalized coaching and cost-effective medication alternatives, allowing employers to save considerably. Employers participating in the program incur a monthly cost of only $189 for these services, in stark contrast to the average expenditure of approximately $1,140 for traditional brand-name medications.
Since its inception, Next Level Prime has expanded swiftly, currently serving over 360 employers with an impressive retention rate of 97%. The demand for innovative healthcare benefits solutions is on the rise as employers aim to reduce healthcare costs while enhancing employee wellness. Notably, the program’s flexibility allows it to be tailored to align with the specific needs of different organizations, whether accessed directly or through brokers.
Health conditions significantly impact employee productivity, absenteeism, and retention rates; hence, a healthier workforce translates into more productive business operations. To this end, Next Level boasts a remarkable net promoter score (NPS) exceeding 90, reflecting high levels of employee satisfaction with the program.
Next Level operates more than 45 clinics across Texas, offering both urgent and primary care services. Clinics are conveniently open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, ensuring accessibility for employees. The organization further collaborates with employers to establish on-site clinics and occupational medicine services, which promote overall workplace health.
A notable partnership is with Houston ISD, which has expanded its collaboration with Next Level to provide behavioral health services and primary care. This initiative offers employees access to 12 counseling sessions, health coaching, and a 24/7 telehealth line for continuous support.
As Texas contends with rising healthcare costs and an ongoing emphasis on employee wellness, Next Level continues to embody the standards of accessible and value-driven healthcare. The success of Next Level Prime illustrates the potential for direct primary care models to alleviate financial burdens on employers while fostering a healthier and more engaged workforce.
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