Declining Primary Care Access: Is Your Workforce at Risk? 

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The US healthcare system is facing a critical challenge: access to primary care is deteriorating. Recent data paints a concerning picture, with a JAMA Health Forum study revealing a significant decline in primary care practices offering extended hours and weekend appointments. [1] This trend, coupled with a growing physician shortage and closures of primary care facilities, leaves many individuals struggling to find timely and convenient care. For employers, this translates to a less healthy, less productive workforce, and ultimately, higher healthcare costs.

The JAMA Health Forum study, which surveyed 710 primary care practices, found a clear decrease in access to care, particularly outside of standard business hours. [1] This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a major barrier for working professionals. While the rise of flexible work arrangements might suggest a reduced need for after-hours appointments, the reality is that millions of Americans still work traditional 9-to-5 jobs. For these individuals, taking time off for a doctor's visit can be difficult, if not impossible. This access gap disproportionately affects those who can't easily step away from their work, exacerbating existing health disparities.

Several factors contribute to this growing crisis, according to Jeff Levin-Scherz in Employer Coverage.[2] Primary care residency programs struggle to fill their slots, leading to a shortage of new physicians. Major players like Walmart have shuttered their primary care practices, and even established healthcare giants are facing setbacks in their primary care investments. Furthermore, newly trained physicians are less inclined to work extended hours, further limiting appointment availability. 

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Impact to Employers

The consequences for employers are substantial. When employees can't access primary care, they're more likely to postpone or forgo necessary treatment. This can lead to a cascade of negative effects, including:

• Increased Absenteeism:
  Employees struggling with untreated health issues are more likely to take sick days, impacting productivity and creating staffing challenges.
  
  
• Decreased Productivity:
  Even when present, employees dealing with health concerns may be less focused and less efficient, reducing overall output.
  
  
• Higher Healthcare Costs:
  Delayed or forgone primary care can lead to more serious health problems down the road, requiring more expensive interventions and driving up healthcare costs for both employers and employees. In fact, the cost of diminished productivity due to mismanagement of medical conditions is estimated at $198 billion per year. [3]
  
  
• Reduced Employee Morale:
  Difficulty accessing healthcare can create stress and frustration, negatively impacting employee morale and potentially leading to higher turnover rates.
  
  

The JAMA Health Forum study also highlights the growing importance of digital solutions and urgent care in addressing the access challenge. [1] This is where virtual healthcare comes in. 

At Hello Alpha, we believe that telemedicine offers a vital solution to the primary care access crisis, particularly for working professionals. Our virtual platform allows employees to connect with qualified physicians from anywhere, at any time, eliminating the need to navigate restrictive clinic hours or take time off work.

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Why Hello Alpha

• Enhance Employee Benefits:
  Providing access to convenient, on-demand 24/7 virtual primary care demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and strengthens your benefits package.
  
  
• Improve Healthcare Outcomes:
  By facilitating timely access to care, Hello Alpha can help employees manage their health proactively, preventing more serious health issues and reducing healthcare costs in the long run. Primary preventive care could save $53 billion per year. [3]
  
  
• Boost Productivity:
  When employees can easily access care, they're less likely to miss work or struggle with health-related issues, leading to increased productivity and a more engaged workforce.
  
  
• Offer Comprehensive Care:
  Compared to solutions that target specific conditions such as menopause or fertility, Hello Alpha offers comprehensive care for more than 100 conditions.
  
  

Hello Alpha's white paper explains how its whole-person approach leads to better outcomes and cost savings. [3] Hello Alpha's cost-impact model projects significant savings per patient per year for various conditions, including $906 for women's health, $1778 for heart health, and $1508 for mental health. For a company with 1000 employees, Hello Alpha's integrated approach could lead to substantial population health savings, potentially exceeding $500,000 annually for women's health alone. Furthermore, Hello Alpha’s thousands of consumer patients treated for excess weight have sustained a 15% reduction in BMI after 10+ months. 

We understand that employers are seeking innovative solutions to address the evolving healthcare landscape. Hello Alpha offers a powerful way to bridge the primary care gap, empowering employees to prioritize their health without compromising their work commitments. We invite you to explore how Hello Alpha can partner with your organization to create a healthier, more productive, and more engaged workforce.

For more information on how Hello Alpha supports employers, visit our webpage.

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Partner with Hello Alpha

Let's talk! Contact our team at sales@helloalpha.com to explore how Hello Alpha can your organization save on healthcare costs while providing your workforce with access to convenient primary care. 
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Sources:

1. Mackwood, M., Fisher, E., Schmidt, R. O., … Schifferdecker, K. E. (2025). Changes in US primary care access and capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Health Forum, 6(2), e245237.
2. Levin-Scherz, J. (2025, February 27). Access to adult primary care is deteriorating. Employer Coverage.
3. Hello Alpha. (n.d.). Understanding the benefits of virtual primary care. [White paper].

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