When Big Companies Start Thinking Like Small Ones: Why Even Large Employers Are Exploring Concierge Healthcare

I had a small business insurance broker reach out through our website last week. She left a message asking if we’d consider taking on a manufacturing company in Arizona with 187 employees. Their Cigna rates just jumped nearly 35% this year. For the exact same sub-par coverage they had last year. That’s what pushed me to sit down on a Saturday and rage-write this this blog to help companies and owners understand the impact of health insurance for small businesses.

This is the direction things are going. And not just for small teams with a handful of contractors or 1099s. We’re now seeing companies with over 100 employees—ones that used to offer solid, traditional small business health insurance—coming to us and asking what it would look like to ditch their Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, or United Healthcare group plan for something that actually works.

Why Healthcare for Small Businesses is a Problem

Let’s start with the obvious. The cost of providing medical insurance for small business teams has gotten out of hand. With the ever-changing political battles and inflation driving healthcare costs up, it sure looks like the forecast calls for nothing but more of the same in the future. 

According to a recent piece in Forbes, the average employer-provided health insurance premium has increased more than 20% since 2021, with some plans seeing spikes of 30% or more (or 35% in this broker’s case) depending on the state and carrier. And Bloomberg just published a feature on how companies are trimming coverage, increasing deductibles, or pulling benefits entirely because the current model just isn’t sustainable anymore.

For small business owners, this puts you in a brutal spot. You want to offer good care to your people, but not if it means cutting bonuses, delaying raises, or barely making payroll some months.

And for your employees? Their monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-pays are climbing too. You’re both paying more… for less.

Why Concierge Healthcare Makes More Sense Now

Of course we’re biased, but no one can convince me that concierge medicine isn’t a great option.

Instead of funneling thousands of dollars into insurance companies that restrict your access, deny coverage, or make it nearly impossible to see a provider when you actually need one, concierge care offers:

• Direct access to your provider (calls, texts, and video chats from a direct local number. No more phone trees)

• Same or next-day appointments in person or virtual

• Transparent pricing so you know exactly what you’re paying for

• Care that happens 7 days a week, not Monday through Friday from 9 to 4

• On-site healthcare services helping boost your company’s brand and authenticity

And what about the cost of concierge medicine for small businesses? For most companies we work with, our Employer Healthcare solution is 200-1000% less (No I didn’t accidentally add an extra 0. One of our clients saved 1004% to be exact in the the year with us!) than what they were paying for small business insurance through traditional carriers. That’s really real savings for small businesses. Actually not just small businesses. All businesses. 

What About Larger Employers?

Like I mentioned up top, we’re seeing the shift now. Companies that used to stick with traditional group insurance—100, 150, even 200 employees—are now reconsidering their options.

Why? Because concierge medicine:

• Works great for distributed and remote-first teams

• Covers W2 and 1099 employees

• Can include on-site health days for manufacturing or in-person teams

• Offers real health benefits, not just a plan name on paper

When a company with 187 employees considers leaving Cigna behind, it’s not because they’re bored. It’s because the numbers don’t work anymore, and their people aren’t getting what they need. And that’s the same reason your smaller business might be rethinking traditional health plans too.

When to Consider Making the Switch

Here’s when you know it’s time to consider concierge medicine for your company:

• You’ve had a premium increase of more than 10% this year

• Your team can’t get in to see a doctor for weeks at a time

• You have independent contractors, part-timers, or remote workers

• Your current plan is costing you more than it’s helping

• You’re frustrated. You just want a simple, solid way to take care of your team

If that sounds familiar, we should talk.

At PracticeRx, we’ve built a concierge care model that’s designed for business owners. And it’s working—whether your team has 5 people or 500 people.

-Clay