Chronic and autoimmune conditions continue to place a heavy burden on employees—and on employer healthcare budgets. Despite regular doctor visits, medications, and specialist referrals, many individuals still struggle with persistent symptoms and limited improvement. At the same time, employers are seeing pharmacy and medical costs rise year over year, with little to show for it.
To address this challenge, CareATC is proud to announce the launch of BeWell+ Functional Medicine, a new virtual care program designed to help patients manage complex, high-cost chronic conditions by addressing their underlying causes—not just their symptoms.
Why Chronic Care Needs a New Approach
Chronic disease is the primary driver of healthcare spend in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 90% of U.S. healthcare spending is tied to individuals with chronic and mental health conditions. For employers, this often shows up in the form of long-term medication use, specialty drug escalation, and avoidable downstream claims.
Prescription drugs alone account for nearly 20% of total employer healthcare costs, with specialty medications representing one of the fastest-growing expense categories. Traditional, symptom-based care models often manage conditions in isolation, leading to fragmented care and increasing reliance on medications without addressing what’s driving the condition in the first place.
Introducing BeWell+ Functional Medicine
BeWell+ Functional Medicine offers a different path forward.
This 12-month long, virtual program combines Functional Medicine practitioner oversight, advanced diagnostic testing, and high-touch health coaching to support patients with chronic and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Through in-depth assessments and personalized care plans, patients gain a deeper understanding of how factors like inflammation, nutrition, stress, sleep, and lifestyle impact their health—then receive ongoing support to make sustainable changes. The program is available to eligible CareATC patients at no cost, removing financial barriers to participation.
Improving Outcomes While Controlling Costs
Research shows that comprehensive, lifestyle-based care models can significantly reduce medication dependence and improve long-term outcomes for individuals with chronic disease, while workplace wellness specifically results in medical costs that fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs.
By delivering Functional Medicine through a scalable, virtual-first model, BeWell+ Functional Medicine helps employers proactively address high-cost populations while enhancing the employee care experience.
“Employers are looking for solutions that deliver real results—both clinically and financially,” said Dawn Carter, CEO of CareATC. “BeWell+ Functional Medicine reflects our commitment to reimagining healthcare by addressing chronic conditions at the root. It’s a powerful way to improve employee health while protecting long-term healthcare investments.”
A More Personalized Experience for Patients
For many patients, the greatest benefit of Functional Medicine is feeling truly seen and supported.
“Patients with chronic or autoimmune conditions often feel stuck managing symptoms without understanding why they persist,” said Dr. David Noonan, Functional Medicine provider at CareATC. “This approach allows us to look deeper—using advanced diagnostics and a whole-person lens—to create care plans that are truly individualized. When patients receive consistent guidance and coaching, we often see meaningful improvements in both symptoms and quality of life.”
Strengthening CareATC’s Differentiated Clinical Portfolio
The launch of BeWell+ Functional Medicine expands CareATC’s BeWell+ ecosystem and strengthens its ability to support employers seeking modern, outcomes-driven solutions for chronic disease management. By focusing on root causes, reducing unnecessary medication dependence, and improving engagement, the program aligns employee well-being with employer value.
As employers continue to navigate rising healthcare costs and increasing chronic disease prevalence, BeWell+ Functional Medicine offers a smarter, more sustainable path forward.
To learn more about BeWell+ Functional Medicine, visit www.careatc.com.
References
- Baicker, K., Cutler, D., & Song, Z. (2010). Workplace wellness programs can generate savings. Health Affairs, 29(2), 304–311.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Chronic diseases in America. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
- Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). Employer health benefits: 2023 annual survey.
https://www.kff.org/health-costs/report/2023-employer-health-benefits-survey/ - Grega, M. L., et al. (2023). American College of Lifestyle Medicine expert consensus statement: Lifestyle medicine for optimal outcomes in primary care. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 18(2), 269–293.
