Everside Health Redefined: A New Era of Personalized Primary Care

In an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, where rising costs and fragmented services often leave individuals feeling lost, a transformative approach is emerging. Everside Health, a national leader in direct primary care, is redefining how we experience healthcare, shifting the focus from reactive treatment to proactive, personalized well-being. This innovative model aims to bring back the trusted patient-provider relationship, offering a more accessible, affordable, and effective path to better health for individuals and organizations alike.

The traditional healthcare system, often characterized by rushed appointments, long wait times, and a bewildering array of bills, has struggled to meet the evolving needs of a general audience seeking comprehensive and continuous care. Everside Health steps in as a compelling alternative, offering a fresh perspective on primary care that prioritizes patient needs, enhances access, and drives significant value.

The Current Healthcare Landscape: Why Change is Needed

The challenges within conventional healthcare are multifaceted, impacting both individuals and the employers who often bear a significant portion of healthcare costs. Understanding these pain points highlights the necessity for a redefined approach.

Rising Costs and Limited Access

Healthcare costs continue to climb, placing a substantial burden on individuals through high deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket expenses. Many avoid necessary preventive care or delay seeking treatment due to financial concerns, leading to more severe and costly health issues down the line. Access can also be a significant hurdle, with long wait times for appointments and limited availability of primary care providers.

The Fragmented Care Experience

Navigating the traditional healthcare system often feels like a maze. Patients frequently see different doctors for various issues, leading to a fragmented care experience where medical history isn't always seamlessly shared, and a holistic view of a patient's health is often missing. This lack of coordination can result in duplicate tests, conflicting advice, and a general feeling of being just another number.

Focus on Reactive, Not Proactive Care

The fee-for-service model prevalent in much of traditional healthcare often incentivizes reactive treatment rather than proactive prevention. Doctors are paid for services rendered, which can inadvertently lead to a focus on addressing illness after it occurs, rather than preventing it in the first place. This approach can overlook the significant long-term benefits of preventive care and chronic disease management.

Everside Health: A New Vision for Primary Care

Everside Health is at the forefront of the direct primary care (DPC) movement, offering an "Advanced Primary Care" model that is transforming how organizations provide healthcare for their employees and members. This model is built on principles of accessibility, affordability, and a strong patient-provider relationship.

What is Everside Health?

Everside Health is a national onsite, near-site, and virtual primary care provider. They partner with employers, unions, and other organizations to deliver comprehensive primary care services, often at little to no cost to eligible employees and their covered family members. Having merged with companies like Paladina Health, Activate Healthcare, Healthstat, and R-Health, Everside Health has grown to become one of the largest direct primary care providers in the U.S. As of early 2024, Everside Health merged with Marathon Health, further expanding its reach to over 680 health centers across 41 U.S. states, with virtual care available in all 50 states.

The Direct Primary Care Advantage

At its core, Everside Health's model is about direct primary care. This means removing the traditional barriers between patients and their primary care providers. Instead of a fee-for-service model, employers or plan sponsors pay a fixed cost per employee, granting nearly 24/7 unlimited access to primary care providers. This model emphasizes:

• No Co-pays or Deductibles: For many, services at Everside Health centers come with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs, making healthcare truly accessible. This includes preventive and non-preventive services, and often no charge for virtual interactions.
• Extended Appointment Times: Everside providers typically see 70% fewer patients than those in traditional practices, allowing for longer, more in-depth appointments where patients feel heard and understood.
• Enhanced Access: Patients benefit from same-day or next-day appointments for urgent needs, flexible scheduling, and 24/7 access to their care team via phone, app, or secure messaging.
• Comprehensive Services: Beyond routine check-ups, Everside Health offers a broad scope of services including chronic condition management, mental health screenings, urgent care, on-site lab work, and select no-cost generic medications.

Beyond the Clinic Walls: On-site and Near-site Solutions

Everside Health expands access by operating health centers directly at or near employer facilities. This convenience removes significant barriers to care, making it easier for employees to prioritize their health without sacrificing work time or commuting long distances. The availability of virtual visits further enhances this accessibility, ensuring care is available wherever and whenever it's needed.

Redefining Health for Employers and Employees

The Everside Health model offers distinct advantages for both the organizations that sponsor the care and the individuals who receive it.

For Employers: Boosting Bottom Lines and Employee Morale

Organizations partnering with Everside Health experience tangible benefits that extend beyond just healthcare provision.

• Cost Savings and ROI: Everside's tech-driven, value-based model is designed to reduce overall healthcare costs. On average, employers have seen a reduction in total healthcare costs by 17% in three years and 31% in five years. This is achieved by focusing on preventive care and managing chronic conditions early, which helps to avoid more expensive emergency room visits and specialist care.
• Improved Productivity and Reduced Absenteeism: By providing easy access to care and promoting better health, employees are less likely to miss work due to illness. Prompt treatment of minor issues prevents them from escalating, leading to fewer sick days and higher productivity.
• Enhanced Employee Benefits and Retention: Offering a high-quality, convenient, and low-cost healthcare benefit like Everside Health can significantly boost employee satisfaction and morale. It demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being, which can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.

For Employees: Personalized Care and Better Outcomes

For the individual, Everside Health redefines the patient experience, offering a level of care that feels both personal and empowering.

• Easy Access and Longer Appointments: Imagine a doctor's office where waiting times average only 5 minutes, compared to the national average of 22 minutes. Everside Health makes this a reality, allowing patients to spend more quality time with their provider. This fosters a deeper understanding of health needs and concerns.
• Emphasis on Preventive Care and Wellness: The model shifts focus to proactive health management. Providers work with patients to identify potential health risks early, offering wellness counseling, preventive screenings, and personalized care plans. This proactive approach helps patients stay healthier and can prevent chronic conditions from developing or worsening.
• Comprehensive Chronic Disease Management: For those managing chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, Everside Health provides continuous support and personalized plans. The ability to have ongoing access to a dedicated provider and care team helps patients better manage their conditions and improve long-term health outcomes.
• Whole-Person Care: Everside Health emphasizes a holistic approach to well-being, addressing not just physical health but also mental health, exercise, and nutrition. Services include mental health screenings and support, ensuring that all aspects of a patient's health are considered.

The Everside Health Difference: A Deep Dive into Their Approach

What truly sets Everside Health apart is its commitment to a patient-centered, technology-driven approach that aligns incentives for all parties involved.

Building Strong Patient-Provider Relationships

At the heart of the Everside model is the belief that a strong, trusting relationship between a patient and their primary care provider is fundamental to good health. Providers have smaller patient panels, allowing them to truly get to know their patients, their health history, and their individual needs. This personalized attention fosters open communication and encourages patients to take a more active role in their health journey.

Leveraging Technology for Better Health Outcomes

Everside Health utilizes advanced analytics and proprietary technology, such as the Everside 360 platform and Everside Everywhere app, to enhance care delivery. This technology enables:

• Predictive Patient Care: By aggregating patient data, Everside can identify potential gaps in care and address health concerns before they become costly.
• Convenient Virtual Care: The Everside Everywhere app allows patients to schedule appointments, message providers, access medical records, and request prescription refills, providing 24/7 virtual access.
• Population Health Management: Employers gain insights into their population's health data, allowing for more informed decisions about benefits and wellness programs.

A Holistic View of Well-being

Everside Health's commitment to "whole-person care" means addressing physical, mental, and even social determinants of health. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that patients receive integrated care that supports their overall well-being, leading to more