Rising healthcare costs and frustration with traditional insurance are driving Total Rewards leaders to explore new solutions. In 2025, Apache Industrial introduced a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model—unlimited primary care through membership, paired with cash-upfront strategies that eliminate inefficiencies in fee-for-service care. In its first year, the program reduced ER and urgent care visits, cut administrative overhead, replaced unpredictable high-dollar claims with negotiated rates, and increased preventive care use—delivering measurable savings.

What sets this approach apart is how Apache reinvested the savings. Instead of simply reducing costs, savings were redirected into the benefits package—keeping healthcare more affordable, expanding wellness offerings, and enhancing the Total Rewards experience. This strategy strengthened trust, improved satisfaction, and reinforced a culture of care across the workforce.

Key Takeaways

• Gain an inside view of how a mid-sized employer reimagined its healthcare strategy
• Identify opportunities where alternative models can reduce costs and improve engagement
• Reinvest savings in ways that align financial results with the employee experience
• Communicate transparently to strengthen trust and loyalty