Direct Primary Care for Employers: A Smarter Health Benefit for Myrtle Beach Businesses
Updated: 3 days ago
You run a small business on the Grand Strand. One of your best employees calls out on a Monday with a sinus infection. Her insurance has a high deductible, so instead of seeing a doctor on Friday, she waited all weekend hoping it would pass. Now she is out for two days, waiting for an urgent care opening.
Most owners have lived some version of that story. Health benefits cost more every year, yet employees still struggle to get simple care quickly. That gap is why more companies are looking at direct primary care for employers, a simple way to give your team a doctor they can reach without adding another complicated plan.
This blog covers how employer direct primary care works, what it costs, where it fits next to insurance, and how small businesses in Myrtle Beach and across Horry County can use it.
What Is Direct Primary Care for Employers?
Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership with a primary care practice. Instead of billing insurance for each visit, the practice charges a flat monthly fee. That fee covers everyday care: sick visits, check-ups, preventive care and chronic condition management, with no copays or visit bills.
Employer sponsored direct primary care works the same way, except the business pays the monthly fee for its employees. Your team gets a dedicated doctor. You get one predictable line item.
DPC is not health insurance. It does not cover hospital stays, surgery, specialists or emergency care. Most employers offer it alongside a health plan, not in place of one. More on that below.
Why Health Benefits Are Getting Harder for Small Businesses
According to the KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, the average annual premium for employer coverage reached $9,325 for single coverage and $26,993 for family coverage, up 5% and 6% from the year before. The average deductible for single coverage was $1,886.
Smaller companies feel this most. KFF found that only 59% of firms with fewer than 200 workers offer health benefits at all, compared with 97% of larger firms.
High deductibles create a second problem. When employees have to pay the full price of a visit until they reach their deductible, many skip care. Small problems grow, sick days stack up, and the plan you pay for goes unused until something serious happens.
How Employer Direct Primary Care Works
The setup is simpler than most benefits:
You choose who is covered. All full-time staff, a single department, or employees who opt in.
You pay a flat monthly fee per employee. No claims, no networks, no surprise bills.
Employees enroll online and book a first visit with their doctor.
Employees reach their doctor directly by appointment, phone or secure message.
Insurance stays in place for hospital care, specialists and emergencies.
For the business, there is no plan to administer and no annual renewal surprise on the primary care side. The cost is the same in a busy month as in a quiet one.
What Your Employees Get
At Sarova Health, membership for each enrolled team member includes:
Unlimited office and virtual visits with no copays or per-visit charges
Same- or next-business-day appointments, so a sick employee is seen quickly
Direct messaging with their physician, useful for quick questions that do not need a visit (see what it is like to message your doctor directly)
A 90-minute first visit and longer appointments after that
Preventive care and chronic condition management, including blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and cholesterol
Labs at member prices, most just a few dollars per test
Over 1,000 generic maintenance medications, delivered to their home
Mental health evaluation for anxiety, depression, stress, sleep and burnout
Specialist Referrals as needed
All care is led by Dr. Kishan Patel, a board-certified internal medicine physician.
Direct Primary Care for Small Business: What It Costs
Sarova Health's employer program costs $125 per month for each enrolled team member. That is less than $0.75 per work hour for a full-time employee.
Here is what that looks like at a few common team sizes:
Enrolled employees | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
5 | $625 | $7,500 |
10 | $1,250 | $15,000 |
25 | $3,125 | $37,500 |
Compare that with the average single premium of $9,325 a year. DPC is not a replacement for that premium, but at $1,500 per employee per year it is a much smaller commitment, and every dollar goes to primary care your team can actually use.
DPC Plans and Insurance: How They Work Together
Most businesses pair direct primary care with one of these:
A high-deductible health plan (HDHP). DPC covers everyday care. The HDHP protects against big, rare costs. HDHPs usually carry lower premiums than traditional plans.
Your existing group plan. DPC adds faster access and a dedicated doctor on top of current coverage.
No group plan yet. For a very small team, DPC can be a first benefit while employees keep individual or marketplace coverage.
There is also good news on HSAs. Starting in 2026, people with an HSA-qualified plan can also have a qualifying direct primary care arrangement and keep contributing to their HSA, under IRS Notice 2026-5. Fees must stay at or below $150 a month for one person, and Sarova's $125 membership falls within that limit. Rules depend on how the arrangement is set up, so check with your benefits advisor or HSA administrator.
Is Employer Direct Primary Care Right for Your Business?
It tends to be a strong fit if:
Your team is mostly local to Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach or Carolina Forest
Employees are on high-deductible plans and are putting off care
Sick days and long waits for appointments are costing you shifts
You want a benefit that helps you hire and keep good people
It may not be the right fit if most of your staff live outside the area, or if you want a single product that also covers hospital and specialist costs. DPC does one job well: everyday primary care.
Grand Strand businesses, from restaurants and hotels to construction, real estate and professional offices, often run lean teams where one absence is felt right away. A doctor who can see an employee the same or next business day makes a real difference.
Getting Started With Sarova Health
Direct primary care for employers gives your team a doctor they know and gives you a benefit with a fixed, predictable cost. It works alongside insurance and is simple to run.
Sarova Health is a direct primary care practice for adults at 923 Medical Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, serving businesses across Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest and the rest of Horry County. See our employer program, call 843-438-6526, or email hello@sarovahealth.com to talk about your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does direct primary care for employers cost?
At Sarova Health, employers pay $125 per month for each enrolled team member. That covers unlimited visits, messaging, and preventive and chronic care with no copays.
Does direct primary care replace group health insurance?
No. DPC covers everyday primary care. Employees still need insurance for hospital stays, surgery, specialists and emergencies. Many businesses pair DPC with a high-deductible plan.
Can small businesses in Myrtle Beach offer direct primary care?
Yes. Employer direct primary care works well for small teams because there is no plan to administer. You pay a flat monthly fee for each enrolled employee.
Can employees with an HSA use direct primary care?
Starting in 2026, people with an HSA-qualified plan can generally have a qualifying DPC arrangement and keep contributing to their HSA. Confirm the details with your benefits advisor.
