SSM Health and Denver-based Paladina Health are planning a joint venture to offer direct-to-employer primary care services in the St. Louis area. The new company, with Paladina Health serving as the operating partner, expects to open its first clinic before the end of 2019, with services available to local businesses in 2020. Under this model, a participating business pays a flat fee for each employee’s primary care services, granting the employee access to care without co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs. The primary care clinics, also available to SSM Health employees, will be staffed by a family practice physician and medical assistant while offering longer patient visits, 24/7 access to a provider via phone and email, same-day or next-day appointments, and a variety of other services at a single location.