Empowering people and improving outcomes — not just through better access, but better care models.
The traditional healthcare model — reactive, fragmented, and fee-for-service — is cracking under pressure. Employers and benefits professionals are all looking for solutions that deliver higher-value outcomes, lower costs, and most importantly, better patient experiences.
Two critical concepts are leading this shift:
✔️ Patient-centered care — care that puts individual needs, preferences, and values first
✔️ Value-based care — models that reward improved outcomes instead of service volume
First Stop Health is at the forefront of this evolution, delivering both through its virtual care platform. Here’s how — and why it matters more than ever.
What Is Patient-Centered Care — and Why Does It Matter?
The Institute of Medicine defines patient-centered care as “providing care that is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs, and values”1.
This model recognizes that:
- Health is personal — one-size-fits-all doesn't work
- Patients are more likely to engage in their care when they feel heard
- Relationships — not transactions — drive long-term health outcomes
Benefits of patient-centered care include:
- Higher patient satisfaction and trust
- Better adherence to treatment plans
- Reduced unnecessary procedures and visits2
What Is Value-Based Care?
Unlike fee-for-service models that reward volume, value-based care rewards outcomes — meaning better health, fewer complications, and reduced overall cost of care.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), value-based care models focus on:
- Preventive care
- Care coordination
- Chronic disease management
- Reducing hospital readmissions and unnecessary utilization3
First Stop Health: Where Patient-Centered Meets Value-Based
At First Stop Health, we’ve built a care model that starts and ends with the member — and delivers measurable value to employers. Here’s how First Stop Health delivers both:
Care That Starts with the Individual
Our virtual care teams focus on what matters to each patient — not just clinical markers.
- Personalized care plans based on goals, lifestyle, and preferences
- Continuity with providers to build trust over time
- Human-first communication, not transactional visits
Outcomes Over Encounters
We’re not incentivized to bill more. We’re incentivized to solve more.
- Proactive follow-up care and coaching to prevent escalation
- Integrated behavioral and physical health support
- Focus on prevention and long-term behavior change
Virtual, Accessible, Always-On
We remove the friction points — cost, confusion, and coordination.
- 24/7 urgent care and primary care and mental health care as soon as next day
- Solutions integrated in one platform
- $0 for the member = zero-cost barrier to getting help
Why It Works for Employers
Employers choosing First Stop Health gain:
- Lower claims costs through reduced ER and urgent care utilization, as well as risk reduction by encouraging healthier populations
- Higher productivity by addressing chronic issues and mental health proactively
- Better retention by offering a care experience employees actually use and appreciate
And unlike many telehealth vendors, we deliver real utilization — not just availability.
The Model Has Changed. So Should Your Benefits.
Healthcare isn’t just about access anymore — it’s about outcomes, experience, and value.
First Stop Health’s model proves that virtual care can be both human-centered and cost-efficient — and that value-based, patient-first care isn’t a theory. It’s already here.
Want to learn how First Stop Health can transform your healthcare strategy?
First Stop Health Complete Care
Comprised of Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Whole Mental Health, First Stop Health's Complete Care offers a robust, holistic care experience for patients.
Download the Complete Care Overview
Sources:
Frampton, S. B., Guastello, S., & Lepore, M. (2013). Compassion as the foundation of patient-centered care: the importance of compassion in action. Journal of comparative effectiveness research, 2(5), 443–455. https://doi.org/10.2217/cer.13.54
Barry MJ, Edgman-Levitan S. Shared decision making — the pinnacle of patient-centered care. N Engl J Med. 2012. ↩
CMS. Value-Based Programs. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/value-based-programs
