Stories from the Frontlines: How Direct Healthcare for Unions Saved Lives and Helped Members Get Back to Work Faster 

The health of union members and their families is a top priority for any union leader. Unfortunately, assuring high quality healthcare services for a diverse population isn’t easy: The cost of care going up around the country, provider shortages are making it more difficult to see a doctor, and, even when members do get care, appointments may be short and impersonal, facilitated by providers who keep their hand on the doorknob the whole visit. 

With challenges stacking up against them, where do leaders turn when they want to guarantee their members have access to best-in-class care that treats them like whole people? The answer is simple: A direct healthcare partner who can offer union members the care they need, whenever and however they need it.  

By partnering with unions and benefits funds to provide no-cost acute and preventive care at locations central for union workers and their families, a direct healthcare partner makes care more accessible, personalized, and even enjoyable for members, with an in-depth understanding of the specific health risks that face union populations. From late-night virtual appointments to more in-depth physicals, this care goes beyond what’s possible in a community healthcare setting. 

Here’s just a few true stories of how direct healthcare has impacted the real lives of union workers across the U.S.: 

Turning a screening exam into an early diagnosis 

For one member, what began as a routine screening at a union-backed wellness center turned into a life-saving early cancer diagnosis, thanks to a provider’s thorough care and encouragement to schedule an overdue annual physical. Together, the provider and member worked to develop a plan that gave the member confidence in their treatment and even supported genetic testing for the member’s children. 

 This timely intervention not only supported the member’s health but also helped avoid a potential high-cost claim for their fund’s health plan. If care had not been readily available, the member might have received a delayed diagnosis with major impacts to the members’ health and the cost of their treatment. 

 When providers can spend more time with patients and are able to build trusting relationships, they can identify more than surface-level health concerns. This approach to treatment can lead to early identification of life-changing, expensive conditions, so union members can get, stay, and be well.  

A midnight tooth infection thwarted by virtual care 

When a painful tooth infection flared up at an inconvenient time, access to virtual care meant another member could get fast, effective treatment —without the ER wait or high co-pay. After noticing swelling in their mouth, they contacted a Premise virtual primary care provider, received a diagnosis at midnight, and had antibiotics in hand by morning, all from the comfort of home with no large emergency room copay or long wait. 

Illness doesn’t always happen when it’s most convenient and with varied shifts and responsibilities, what’s convenient for one union member might not be for another. When unions include virtual primary care as part of their benefits automatically, it means that members don’t have to put off addressing their health needs for anything – whether that’s a night shift, a vacation, or a long day on the road to and from the job site. And when they can get care earlier, they can get back to work and life sooner. 

Care that gets to the heart of underlying health conditions 

During a visit for an unrelated issue, a Premise Health nurse practitioner noticed signs of a serious heart concern in one member and insisted on further evaluation from a specialist. After connecting with a referred cardiologist, the member said that this early detection and refusal to overlook warning signs ultimately ended up saving their life.  

When providers have more time to spend with members, it gives them a better chance of identifying dangerous underlying health conditions. And even when those health concerns can’t be treated directly at an onsite wellness center , direct healthcare teams can help guide members to high-value specialists that provide the best possible care and don’t break the bank. Meanwhile, members still have the support of the care team at their wellness center medical home to answer questions and continue quarterbacking their preventive and acute care. 

Behavioral health resources that meet members where they are 

The stigma around getting mental health care can make it challenging for union members to tap into the resources they need to stay healthy. That’s why one behavioral health provider at a wellness center in the Midwest has been reaching their member population with quarterly webinars covering mental health topics. At one session, 50 members joined to discuss their experiences with grief over the holidays – offering the support they needed and building trust in their onsite care team. 

Sometimes members don’t feel comfortable speaking to a behavioral health provider one-on-one, but that doesn’t mean that they have to forgo care. Offering convenient, free behavioral health resources – whether that’s in the health center or from the comfort of home – can remind members that they aren’t alone in managing mental health challenges, substance abuse, grief or stress, and empowers them to seek the treatment they need without judgement. 

Start writing a success story for your members 

Providing dedicated care to your organization’s members doesn’t just make care more convenient and affordable – it can also save lives. Whether they’re staying healthy on the job, taking care of their families, managing a condition, or just looking to refill their medications, union members can find the care they need and more with direct healthcare benefits. 

That’s why Premise Health gives unions access to integrated care that meets members where they are, understands their trade, and takes time to dig deep into their healthcare concerns. It’s something that members won’t find in the community, and it makes all the difference when it comes to satisfaction with their benefits. Ready to start a journey to better health for your members? Contact us today.