From: Alan Leafman, President of Aalpha Benefits, Inc.

It’s not often that I get to write about non-insurance products that benefit small and medium sized businesses. Today is the exception. Here’s why…

For my entire career I have worked with employers across the country, companies with two to 3,000 employees. Always with a focus on employee benefits, primarily group health insurance. New clients often ask me how long I have been doing this. My answer: One year, thirty-nine times. Because each and every year is a different story with employer sponsored healthcare. Insurance companies come and go; new laws and regulations come and go. No two years are alike. Except for two constants. Rates never go down and benefits are often reduced or employees are asked to pay more for their insurance.

But it’s gotten too far out of hand, now to the point that every health crisis is a financial crisis too. Rates for families often exceed their cost of housing. This cannot continue.

So, four years ago I was told to watch a company new to Arizona, Nice Healthcare. Not an insurance company. A healthcare company. A clinic that comes to you, to your home or place of work. Usually, the very same day that you contact them. Their medical professionals show up, diagnose, and treat. If you need a lab test it’s done in your home. Need an x-ray? A tech comes to you. Prescriptions? Physical therapy? Mental health counseling? Done in or delivered to your home. No copays. No cost sharing. No out of pocket costs. They spend a lot of time with patients too, usually forty-five minutes to an hour learning about your whole health situation, not just the symptom of the day.

Four years ago, this plan was $38 per employee per month. Four years later, in 2026, it is only $45* per employee per month. And that covers all family members in the home.

It’s not the entire solution. There is still a need for hospital and surgical coverage, for specialist coverage too (and I have many solutions for those needs). But when you need advanced care, this plan helps its members coordinate care so that everyone is on the same page.

Until now, companies had to cover ten or more employees in order to have this plan. But now Mesa Chamber of Commerce members covering two or more employees can access this service. Finally, there is answer to how to remove the two biggest barriers to care…affordability and accessibility. It’s the best way to make healthcare “Nice” again.

*Rates are slightly higher for groups covering 2 to 9 employees.

Employees and their families have zero-dollar copays for:

• In home primary care
• In home prevention and chronic condition management services
• In home lab tests
• In home x-rays and electrocardiograms
• 550 different prescription medications
• Care coordination with other providers
• Virtual mental/behavioral health counseling
• Virtual physical therapy

Email: aleafman@aalphabenefits.com

Aalpha Benefits, Inc.

8542 E June St

Mesa, AZ 85207

(480) 454-6565, Direct