At Hint, we’re passionate about amplifying the voices of brokers who are revolutionizing healthcare through Direct Primary Care (DPC). In our latest Broker Spotlight, Beth Holmes, Head of Hint Connect, sat down with Aaron Witwer, forward-thinking Benefits Advisor and President of BenEngage, to explore how he champions DPC as a foundational component of value-based health plans.

From Healthcare Practitioner to DPC Advocate

Aaron’s journey to DPC advocacy began in healthcare itself. Having worked in sports healthcare and rehabilitation, he experienced firsthand the limitations of traditional primary care. “It’s certainly limited—you have a 10-minute visit where you feel like your doctor isn’t really paying attention, you don’t really get to ask everything," Aaron explained. His work alongside hospitals and primary care practitioners further deepened his understanding of these gaps.

It wasn’t until he discovered DPC that he realized how transformative primary care could be. “As soon as you experience DPC and get a feel both firsthand and through others eyes—it’s night and day,” he shared. The personalized attention, accessibility, and deeper patient-provider relationships offered by DPC make it a standout solution for improving health outcomes.

Selling the Value of DPC to Employers

Aaron uses a value-first approach when introducing DPC to employers. He frames the conversation around designing health plans that prioritize employee well-being and engagement. “You have independent docs with smaller patient panels… employees will have their doctor’s cell phone number, open conversation and dialogue with them.”

Employee Experiences and Employer Loyalty

Aaron has seen DPC become an integral part of employer-sponsored health plans. Employees who experience DPC don’t want to give it up. “It’s very rare for an employee that, at renewal time, an employee asks not to have DPC anymore. Everybody loves it too much—once people experience it, they don’t want to let it go.” 

Even with “the almost certainty of reducing healthcare costs, more than not, the employer is buying into the DPC concept because it’s conceptually aligned with how they think.”

One client in Louisville, Kentucky, showcased the power of DPC in cost avoidance. Aaron demonstrated how many services were handled within the DPC practice—things that otherwise would’ve resulted in urgent care visits or higher costs. The savings were significant, but the real value was in the employees’ satisfaction and improved health outcomes.

The Right Fit for DPC

When asked what types of employers are a good fit for DPC, Aaron emphasized that it’s more about mindset than industry or size. He shares that whether the employers are white-collar or blue-collar, those who believe in a better healthcare experience see the value of DPC immediately. 

“Everyone is going to love DPC. It’s a really important strategy for cost containment for employers who are in a bind trying to offer health coverage of some kind. We’re taking away their network maybe, but they’re getting great direct primary care. It is an absolute gift to employees.”

The Takeaway

For Aaron, the message to brokers and employers is clear: “Just go experience [DPC]. Interview a direct primary care provider, have a meeting with them. It’s an extremely different way to do business, and I’m so pleased to have it as part of these health plans. Members get the actual primary care experience they deserve.” 

Aaron’s work exemplifies how DPC isn’t just a cost-saving strategy—it’s a way to transform healthcare delivery and create meaningful, lasting change.

Want to hear more? Check out the full interview.

Ready to learn more about how brokers like Aaron are leveraging DPC to revolutionize healthcare? Explore Hint Connect or contact us to discover how DPC can transform your health plans.

Plus, check out this case study to learn how Aaron found a solution to meet his client’s demand to provide nationwide DPC benefits to its employees.