Open enrollment is here, and for Colorado small business owners, it's an opportunity to ask an important question: Are your healthcare benefits really working for your business and your employees?
With rising healthcare costs, tight budgets, and growing expectations around employee benefits, finding the right balance isn't easy.
But better healthcare doesn't necessarily mean spending more. It may mean approaching primary care differently.
That's why more Colorado employers are exploring Direct Primary Care (DPC) as part of their benefits strategy for 2027.
Why Open Enrollment Is the Time to Rethink Your Benefits
For many small businesses, renewing health insurance means reviewing premiums, comparing plans, and deciding how much the business and its employees can afford.
But the cost of insurance is only part of the picture.
Employees may still face high deductibles, copays, and difficulty scheduling appointments. And when healthcare feels expensive or inconvenient, important visits can get pushed aside.
Open enrollment is an opportunity to look beyond insurance coverage and consider how employees actually access care.
What if your team had a doctor they could reach more easily, without worrying about a copay for every included primary care visit?
That's where DPC comes in.
Colorado Employers Are Already Making the Shift
Direct Primary Care is growing rapidly, and Colorado is helping lead the way.
According to Hint Health's 2026 Direct Primary Care Trends Report:
837% Growth
DPC membership per capita grew 837% nationally between 2017 and 2025.
Nearly 60%
Approximately 60% of DPC memberships are now employer-funded, reflecting growing interest in DPC as an employee benefit.
#2 in the Nation
Colorado ranks second in DPC membership concentration, making it one of the country's leading markets for this approach to primary care.
These trends suggest that more employers are looking beyond traditional insurance alone to give employees a more accessible, relationship-focused healthcare experience.
Five Reasons to Consider DOPC This Open Enrollment
1. Make Healthcare Costs More Predictable
DOPC offers straightforward monthly membership pricing for primary care services.
Rather than employees paying a copay each time they access an included primary care service, membership gives them access to ongoing care for a predictable monthly fee.
For small businesses, that means easier budgeting and a valuable benefit without the uncertainty of traditional fee-for-service primary care.
Predictable costs for your business. Fewer financial barriers to primary care for your employees.
2. Give Employees More Time With Their Doctor
Traditional primary care appointments can feel rushed, leaving little time to discuss concerns, ask questions, or focus on long-term health.
At DOPC, we believe better healthcare starts with better relationships.
Our members benefit from longer, personalized appointments with a provider who takes the time to understand their health history, goals, and concerns.
For employees, that means feeling heard and supported. For employers, it means offering a benefit that goes beyond checking a box.
3. Make Healthcare Easier to Access
Taking time away from work for a doctor's appointment shouldn't be more complicated than it needs to be.
DOPC makes primary care more convenient with:
Same-day appointments Monday through Friday, when available
Direct communication with the care team
Longer visits without feeling rushed
Ongoing support for preventive care and chronic conditions
A consistent primary care provider who knows each member
When employees can access care more easily, they're better positioned to address health concerns before they become bigger problems.
4. Support a Healthier, More Productive Team
Healthy employees are an important part of a healthy business.
When primary care is difficult to access, employees may delay appointments, overlook preventive screenings, or struggle to manage ongoing conditions.
DOPC encourages a more proactive approach, helping members stay on top of their health rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
While no healthcare benefit can eliminate sick days, making primary care more accessible can support employee well-being, satisfaction, and peace of mind.
Investing in your team's health is an investment in the people who keep your business moving.
5. Offer a Competitive Benefit Without Overcomplicating Your Plan
Attracting and retaining great employees can be challenging for small businesses, especially when competing with larger companies and their benefits packages.
DOPC gives employers another way to demonstrate that they value their team.
And here's the important part: Direct Primary Care can complement traditional health insurance.
DPC is not health insurance and doesn't replace coverage for hospitalizations, specialist care, or other major medical expenses. Instead, it provides an additional layer of accessible, personalized primary care.
That flexibility makes it worth considering whether your business offers traditional insurance, a high-deductible health plan, or is exploring new ways to support employees.
Better Benefits Start With Better Primary Care
Small businesses shouldn't have to choose between managing costs and taking care of their people.
At DOPC, we're helping Colorado employers rethink what employee healthcare can look like: more accessible, more personal, and easier to budget for.
Whether you're reviewing your current benefits or exploring new options for 2027, our team can help you understand how Direct Primary Care could fit into your business.
Open enrollment is the perfect time to make a change that benefits everyone.
Let's Build a Healthier Business Together
Your employees deserve healthcare that works for them. Your business deserves benefits that make financial sense.
Explore DOPC's Small Business Membership Options →