How do on-site clinics make sense for employees and employees’ health?
On-site clinics are convenient, which means they can increase the likelihood of employees seeing a health care provider for their medical needs. Plus, clinics are educational hubs for employees to learn more about medical services covered under the company’s health plan. As a result, minor illnesses are more likely to be evaluated, which decreases the chance the issue would escalate into something serious and more costly. An employer’s expenses decline as there is no need for an emergency room visit. On-site clinics can encourage employees to receive timely and appropriate preventive care, flu shots, physicals, etc., while promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles. Our experience is that on-site clinics are able to engage five times the number of employees in chronic care management and wellness programs. Also, staff can make referrals to a health coach or an EAP service when appropriate.
What options do employers have for establishing on-site clinics?
Basically, employers can outsource the operation to a third party specializing in clinic operations, or they have health care professionals on the company payroll. In most cases, because a health care operation is highly specialized and not the core competency of the company, the better option is to outsource to a quality third party that emphasizes best practices.
What should employees look for in an on-site clinic provider?
Go with a provider that has a solid reputation for delivering quality medical services, has proven experience and can provide a full complement of health and wellness services.
Are on-site clinics right for all employers?
Ideally, they work best with employer groups of 1,000 employees or more. But because on-site clinics have had a good track record for holding down costs, smaller employers are also considering them. Advances in area telemedicine techniques make the option more financially feasible to smaller employer groups. Employers need to understand that time away from work costs a company seven times as much as the actual medical cost for services rendered.
Is there a reason that employees would be reluctant to utilize on-site clinics?
If a third party is used to run the clinic, it can lessen concerns about confidentiality issues that employees may have concerning their health information and their employer. Designing lower co-pays, solid customer service and convenience should lend itself to employee confidence in using the facility.
David M. Weir is the president of UPMC Work Partners, which is part of the UPMC Insurance Services Division. Reach him at (412) 454-8720 or [email protected].
