Beyond Insurance: Why More Employers Are Choosing Direct Specialty Care for Their Teams

As healthcare costs continue to rise, both employees and employers are feeling the financial pressure. Health insurance premiums are projected to increase nearly 6% in 2025, a significant jump that outpaces wage growth and places a strain on companies and their workforce.

In response, many employers are turning to Smith Medical, a leader in direct pay healthcare with a unique approach that bypasses traditional insurance. At Smith Medical, we offer direct specialty care, providing employees with cash-pay surgery and price transparency for procedures, from Denver surgeries to urology procedures.

This direct approach is revolutionizing how employers provide healthcare benefits by combining affordability, transparency, and quality, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional health plans.

Contracting with Smith Medical is Easy

Traditional health insurance can be complex and costly, with legacy pricing structures, network restrictions, and layers of added expenses. Smith Medical removes these unnecessary complexities, offering a straightforward way to contract for direct pay surgery.

Our direct specialty care platform enables companies to offer healthcare benefits that are easy to understand, transparent in pricing, and perfectly aligned with employee needs. Employers who partner with Smith Medical gain access to a robust healthcare option at significantly reduced rates, providing their workforce with Denver surgery options without surprise bills or costly co-pays.

This approach allows companies to attract and retain high-quality employees by offering a healthcare plan that includes essential surgical services with price transparency and without compromising on care.

Rising Costs: A Problem for Everyone

Over the last decade, premiums for employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) have risen faster than inflation and wage growth. The primary driver behind this increase is the rising price of healthcare services, not increased utilization. Between 2015 and 2019, about two-thirds of medical and pharmacy claims spending growth was attributed to price increases rather than increased demand.

These rising costs impact everyone: employers struggle to maintain sustainable health benefits, and employees are left facing higher deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses. Smith Medical’s direct pay healthcare model addresses this issue by focusing on value, transparency, and affordable cash pay surgery, positioning itself as a cost-effective solution to unsustainable health plans.

Direct Specialty Care for Denver Surgery: Quality and Value for All

Smith Medical’s direct specialty care is designed to deliver transparent, affordable surgical options across various specialties, including general surgery, urology procedures, and leg surgery. By contracting directly with employers, Smith Medical offers package pricing for procedures at a fraction of traditional insurance costs, giving employees peace of mind with no hidden fees and clear pricing for Denver surgery.

This pricing model makes essential healthcare services accessible to uninsured employees and those who might struggle with the high cost of hospital-based surgery.

With Smith Medical, companies can provide a competitive and comprehensive healthcare benefit that supports employee wellness and aligns with organizational budgets.

How Smith Medical Works: Simple, Transparent, and Effective

Partnering with Smith Medical is as easy as it is effective. Our platform partners—Zero Card, Fair Market Health, Coral, and Savvos—help streamline the contracting process, allowing employers to offer affordable direct pay surgical care quickly.

With Smith Medical, all fees are transparent and upfront, allowing employers to plan with confidence and employees to access care without financial surprises. For surgeries such as general surgery, ENT procedures, and specialized options like leg surgery and urology, employees have the reassurance of knowing exactly what they’ll pay, empowering them to make informed healthcare decisions.

A Customized Healthcare Plan: A Competitive Edge for Employers

Employers are increasingly recognizing the value of customized healthcare plans, which not only attract top talent but also improve overall employee wellness.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), companies that offer individualized health benefits see higher employee morale and retention, as employees view these plans as more responsive to their unique needs.

In fact, a survey from the National Business Group on Health found that nearly 80% of employees prefer the flexibility to choose healthcare plans tailored to their requirements over standard insurance coverage. By choosing Smith Medical, companies can offer direct pay healthcare that meets diverse employee needs—a benefit that enhances workforce health and strengthens an employer’s competitive edge in the job market.

Benefits for Self-Funded Employers and New Employees

For companies with self-funded insurance plans, Smith Medical’s direct pay surgery provides a way to deliver surgical benefits without the financial burden of insurance. In today’s competitive job market, health benefits are a key consideration for prospective employees, and affordable healthcare options can give companies an advantage.

Smith Medical allows employers to differentiate themselves by offering a healthcare plan focused on price transparency and quality surgical care. From leg surgery costs to urology procedures, the ability to offer essential services without high insurance premiums makes a significant difference in attracting and retaining quality talent.

The SmithWay: Patient-Centered, Affordable Care

Smith Medical is committed to making healthcare accessible and affordable. Our Denver surgery centers offer advanced medical procedures without the need for traditional insurance, allowing employers and employees to bypass the complexities and high costs often associated with hospital-based care.

The SmithWay is a new model for healthcare that prioritizes transparency in pricing, top-tier surgeons, and patient-centered care.

As healthcare costs continue to climb, direct specialty care is becoming the go-to solution for companies aiming to provide meaningful, sustainable healthcare benefits.

By choosing Smith Medical, employers can invest in a healthcare solution that combines quality and affordability, ultimately offering a comprehensive benefit that meets the needs of their employees and aligns with organizational goals.