At Hint, we're proud to partner with brokers who are redefining how employers think about healthcare. In this edition of our Broker Spotlight series, we spoke with four innovative brokers who are leveraging Direct Primary Care (DPC) to improve patient care, reduce costs, and deliver meaningful benefits to employers and employees alike. Colton Storla, Bret Brummitt, Tom DiLiegro, and Andy Roberts each bring a unique perspective to DPC adoption, but they share a common goal: transforming healthcare to put people first.

Why Brokers Are Turning to Direct Primary Care

For many brokers, the journey to DPC begins with frustration over the inefficiencies of traditional insurance models. Rising healthcare costs, limited patient access, and confusing plan structures leave both employers and employees dissatisfied. DPC offers a solution. By providing direct access to primary care without the hurdles of insurance billing, employers can improve care quality while controlling costs.

Meet the Brokers Making a Difference

Colton Storla – North Risk Partners, Cedar Rapids, IA

Colton first learned about DPC through a colleague who had toured a local DPC clinic: "It sounded intriguing," he said, which led him to visit Exemplar Care. Reflecting on the early stages of forming partnerships, Colton noted, "We kind of shot from the hip... saving employers 10, 20, sometimes 30% on their insurance premiums, and then we were just baking in his DPC fees." He emphasized the importance of collaboration with physicians: "I try and get my direct primary care doctor to attend the meeting with me... bringing that dynamic to the conversation is a gamechanger. You have an actual doctor there that's talking about getting your population healthy”.

Bret Brummitt – Generous Benefits, Austin, TX

Bret’s initial reaction to DPC was skeptical: "I originally thought, 'Hm, this sounds sketchy,'" he admitted. His perspective shifted after hearing patient and employer stories: "It was a very big mindset shift... fully grasping the personal access to care and a more connected patient journey". Bret focuses on gradual implementation, which he described as a "stairstep method", saying, "We used to have just a DPC membership outside of the company... Then we went to a DPC reimbursement program... and now we’ve integrated it directly into the plan." He emphasized the importance of employee education: "Once you have that conversation where you ask people about their current experience and then talk through how it could be different, a lot of the light bulbs go on."

Tom DiLiegro – Vero Advising, Charleston, SC

Tom’s journey with DPC began over a decade ago, fueled by a desire to challenge the inefficiencies of traditional healthcare. "I thought the whole thing was kind of stupid about how we use insurance to pay for really inexpensive things like primary care visits and generic drugs," he said. Employers often respond with skepticism, as Tom noted: "At first it's met with skepticism because everybody thinks, 'Wow, that's incredibly expensive.'" However, once they understand the model, perspectives shift: "When we come in and show them what it is... the light bulb clicks and it starts to make a lot more sense". Emphasizing the value of physician involvement in meetings, Tom added at: "Nobody can sell DPC like the DPC practitioner themselves. Employers see the care model in action and it changes the whole conversation."

Andy Roberts – AMR, Boston

Andy’s introduction to DPC stemmed from an unexpected learning experience: “I was playing broker Andy here in Massachusetts... and people kept saying, ‘You should meet Dr. Jeff Gold.’ I ignored it at first,” he recalled. His perspective changed when he lost a client to another broker who introduced DPC to the employer: “That was a wake-up call”. 

Reflecting on employer decision-making, Andy noted, “Most employers recognize the value of access—the ability to see a doctor quickly and build a relationship.” He stressed that effectiveness sometimes requires change: “Maintaining the status quo is efficient, but effectiveness requires a little bit of change and friction”. Andy highlighted the importance of patience when rolling out DPC: “You have to understand that not everybody is going to be ready to change at first. The water cooler talk is what helps participation grow over time”. He added that leadership buy-in can make a significant difference: “When a CEO embraces it and says, ‘This is a rockstar benefit,’ employees pay attention”.

Common Themes and Key Takeaways

Several key themes emerged from these conversations:

• Partnership is key: Successful DPC adoption relies on collaboration between brokers, physicians, and employers. As Colton emphasized: "Having a doctor in the room changes the conversation entirely."
• Education drives adoption: Bret highlighted, "Once you get someone to explain what they’re experiencing today and how it could be different, the light bulb goes on."
• Cost savings are real—but so are the human benefits: Colton discussed notable savings for employers, while Andy pointed to long-term improvements in employee well-being.
• Patience pays off: Andy’s advice to let adoption grow organically resonated across all of our conversations.

Why This Matters

Employers are looking for sustainable ways to reduce healthcare costs without sacrificing care quality. Brokers like Colton, Brett, Tom, and Andy show that DPC isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a proven solution that benefits everyone involved. As Tom put it, "When employers understand the model, the skepticism fades, and they see DPC as the future of healthcare."

We’re inspired by the work these brokers are doing to make DPC accessible to more employers and employees. Their commitment to collaboration, education, and patient-centered solutions demonstrates that meaningful healthcare reform is possible.

If you're a benefits advisor or broker who is ready to take the next steps towards changing the way employers and employees access healthcare by implementing DPC into your plans, visit connect.hint.com today.