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For millions of Americans, the promise of healthcare is often overshadowed by the reality of mounting bills, confusing insurance jargon, and surprise expenses. Even with insurance, families and individuals are left to navigate deductibles, copays, and a seemingly endless stream of out-of-pocket costs for everything from doctor visits to prescription medications and preventive care.
At a time when a dental checkup can cost $150–$350 and mental health sessions routinely top $100, the need for a more predictable, affordable approach has never been greater.
Beem Health’s Role in Reducing Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs
Enter Beem Health—a bundled, subscription-based wellness platform changing how people access and pay for healthcare. By consolidating essential services like virtual doctor visits, mental health counseling, prescription savings, and dental and vision discounts into a single, flat monthly fee, Beem Health is helping Americans take control of their health—without breaking the bank.
In this blog, we’ll explore Beem Health’s role in reducing out-of-pocket medical costs, who benefits most, and why this model is gaining traction across generations and income levels.
Read Related Article: How Beem Health Supports Preventive Health for Women
Understanding Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs
Key Terms Explained
Before diving into how Beem Health helps, let’s clarify the main drivers of out-of-pocket spending in traditional healthcare:
- Deductibles: The amount you must pay before your insurance starts covering services. In 2023, the average deductible for a single person was $1,763.
- Copays: Fixed fees for specific services (e.g., $30 for a doctor’s visit, $10 for a prescription).
- Coinsurance: The percentage of costs you pay after meeting your deductible (often 20%–30%).
- Out-of-Pocket Maximums: The total amount you could pay in a year before your insurance covers 100% of costs. These can exceed $10,000 for some plans.
Even with insurance, these costs add up quickly—especially for those with chronic conditions, families with children, or anyone who needs regular preventive care.
The Real Cost of Everyday Healthcare
Let’s look at some average prices for common services in the U.S.:
- Dental Checkups: $150–$350 per visit
- Vision Exams: $100–$300 per exam
- Telehealth Consultation: $50–$100 per session
- Mental Health Services: $100–$200 per session
- Prescription Medications: Varies widely, but even generics can cost $20–$100/month without discounts
- Diabetic Care Supplies: $100–$200/month
For a family of four, it’s easy to see how annual out-of-pocket costs can soar into the thousands—even with “good” insurance.
How Beem Health Bundles Services to Lower Costs
The Power of Bundling: One Predictable Fee
Beem Health’s innovation lies in its all-in-one subscription model. For a single, affordable monthly fee, members receive:
- 24/7 Virtual Doctor Visits: Unlimited access to board-certified physicians via Teladoc, eliminating urgent care and after-hours clinic costs.
- Prescription Discounts: Save 10%–85% on medications at over 60,000 pharmacies, including for chronic conditions like diabetes.
- Dental and Vision Care: 15%–50% off dental services and 20%–60% off vision exams and eyewear—areas where insurance often falls short.
- Mental Health Support: Affordable, confidential counseling sessions—no more $100+ out-of-pocket bills for therapy.
- Diabetic Supplies and Preventive Care: Discounts on glucose monitors, test strips, and preventive screenings.
By bundling these services, Beem Health eliminates the need to pay separately for each, making healthcare costs predictable and manageable.
Read Related Article: Beem Health for Seniors: Simplifying Healthcare in Retirement
Transparent, No-Surprise Pricing
Unlike traditional insurance, Beem Health has:
- No Deductibles or Copays: All included services are covered by the flat monthly fee—no extra charges for virtual visits or counseling.
- No Coinsurance or Out-of-Network Fees: Members can access care without worrying about hidden costs or network restrictions.
- Budget-Friendly: Most plans start at a fraction of the cost of traditional insurance premiums, making it easier for families to plan and save.
This transparency means you always know what you’ll pay, helping avoid financial shocks from unexpected medical bills.
Real-Life Cost Comparisons
Let’s compare typical out-of-pocket costs for a family of four using traditional insurance versus Beem Health’s bundled model:
| Service | Traditional Insurance (OOP) | Beem Health Subscription |
| Urgent Care Visit | $100–$350 per visit | $0 (included) |
| Dental Cleaning (per) | $150–$350 | $75–$175 (discounted) |
| Vision Exam (per) | $100–$300 | $40–$120 (discounted) |
| Therapy Session | $100–$200 | $0–$50 (included/discounted) |
| Prescription (monthly) | $20–$100 | $5–$40 (discounted) |
Case Study: Maria, a single mother, used to spend $120/month on her children’s asthma and allergy medications. With Beem Health, her monthly prescription costs dropped to $40, saving her $960 a year.
James, a freelancer, avoided $600/year in urgent care bills by switching to Beem Health’s 24/7 virtual doctor visits.
By bundling services with Beem Health, the Johnson family saved over $500 annually on dental and vision care for their two children.
Beem Health vs. Traditional Insurance and Other Wellness Platforms
Side-by-Side Cost and Access Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Insurance | Beem Health Subscription | Pay-Per-Service Apps |
| Monthly Premium | $300–$1,000+ | $25–$50+ | None |
| Deductible | $1,000–$7,000 | None | N/A |
| Copays | $20–$100/visit | None | $50–$100/visit |
| Out-of-Pocket Max | Up to $10,000+ | N/A | N/A |
| Dental/Vision/Mental | Often limited | Included/discounted | Not bundled |
| Predictable Costs | No | Yes | No |
| Surprise Bills | Yes | No | Sometimes |
| Insurance Required | Yes | No | No |
Beem Health is best used as a supplement for those with high-deductible insurance or as a primary solution for those who want to avoid the complexity and cost of traditional plans.
Who Benefits Most from Beem Health’s Model?
- Freelancers and Gig Workers: No employer-sponsored insurance? Beem Health fills the gap with affordable care and no eligibility restrictions.
- Uninsured and Underinsured: Families who make too much for Medicaid but can’t afford insurance premiums find Beem Health a lifesaver.
- Middle-Income and Younger Generations: Millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize preventive care and digital access, are adopting wellness subscriptions at record rates.
- Families in Coverage Gaps: Those with high deductibles or limited coverage can use Beem Health to access routine and preventive care, saving insurance for emergencies.
Additional Ways Beem Health Reduces Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Prescription Savings and Pharmacy Discounts
Beem Health’s prescription savings are powered by partnerships with major pharmacy networks. Members can:
- Compare Prices Instantly: Use Beem’s price checker tool to find the lowest cost at local pharmacies.
- Access Bulk and Mail-Order Discounts: Save more on 90-day supplies or by using mail-order options for chronic medications.
- Choose Generic Alternatives: Get guidance on switching to FDA-approved generics to cut costs further.
This approach ensures affordable access to essential medications, one of American families’ most significant sources of out-of-pocket spending.
Read Related Article: How to Get Same-Day Medical Advice With Beem Health
Preventive Care and Early Intervention
Beem Health encourages regular checkups and screenings, which can catch health issues before they become emergencies. This reduces the risk of expensive hospital visits and complications later on.
- 24/7 Telemedicine: Immediate access to care helps manage minor issues before they escalate.
- Mental Health Support: Affordable counseling reduces the risk of untreated mental health problems leading to costly crises.
- Dental and Vision Care: Preventive cleanings and eye exams help avoid major procedures and vision loss, which can be far more expensive to treat later.
Flexible Payment and Emergency Cash Options
Beem Health offers unique financial tools for members facing unexpected expenses:
- Quick Cash Advances: Access emergency funds for medical needs with flexible repayment options.
- Everdraft™: A feature that helps members avoid overdraft fees and maintain financial stability during health emergencies.
These tools provide peace of mind and help members manage healthcare costs without resorting to high-interest credit cards or payday loans.
Regional and Demographic Trends in Wellness Adoption
Where Beem Health Makes the Biggest Impact
- High-Adoption States: California, New York, Florida, and Texas lead the nation in wellness service adoption, driven by high healthcare costs and large urban populations.
- Generational Trends:
- Gen Z: High engagement with telehealth and mental health services, lower insurance adoption, strong focus on digital and preventive care.
- Millennials: Major adopters of telehealth and wellness apps, often supplementing employer insurance with additional services.
- Gen X: Balanced use of traditional and wellness services, with a focus on caregiving and chronic disease management.
- Baby Boomers: Nearly universal insurance coverage, but increasing use of supplemental wellness services for chronic conditions and preventive care.
- Income-Based Trends:
- High-Income: Greater use of premium wellness services and telehealth.
- Middle-Income: Balanced use of insurance and affordable wellness options, with a focus on dental, vision, and telehealth.
- Low-Income: Reliance on basic insurance and cost-effective telehealth, with lower overall wellness service adoption due to cost constraints.
Read Related Article: A Guide to Affordable Prescription Medications
Conclusion
The rising tide of out-of-pocket medical costs has left many Americans searching for a smarter, more sustainable approach to healthcare. Beem Health answers this call—not by replacing insurance, but by transforming how families and individuals access and pay for the care they use most.
Through its bundled subscription model, Beem Health delivers a powerful combination of affordability, predictability, and convenience, all while putting essential services within reach for people from every walk of life. If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of unpredictable medical bills, Beem Health could be your next smart move. Download the Beem app here.
FAQs About Beem Health’s Role in Reducing Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs
Is Beem Health an insurance replacement?
No. Beem Health is a supplemental wellness platform, not insurance. It’s designed to fill gaps in routine, preventive, and mental health care, but does not cover hospitalization or major surgery.
Can I use Beem Health with my existing insurance?
Yes! Many members use Beem Health alongside high-deductible or catastrophic insurance plans to lower out-of-pocket costs for everyday care.
What if I need hospitalization or emergency care?
Beem Health is not a substitute for emergency or inpatient care. Traditional insurance or government programs (like Medicaid or Medicare) are still necessary for these needs.
Are there limits to how much I can save with Beem Health?
There are no caps on how often you can use Beem Health’s discounts for prescriptions, dental, vision, or telehealth services. The more you use, the more you save.
