The price of healthcare has become a problem -- a big, expensive problem. If most large companies were to make a list of their top five concerns for the future, chances are, employee healthcare costs would show up on those lists. As a result, many companies have sought ways to keep costs down while still providing employees and their families with robust healthcare coverage.
While it may seem counter-intuitive, large companies may want to consider something new: keeping a healthcare facility right on the company's premises. It may sound expensive, but in the long run, it works, according to Crowne Consulting Group, Inc., which collaborates with Tennessee-based CareHere, LLC to operate 23 employee health and wellness centers throughout Florida. Here's why...
Worksite health services reduce “time off to go to the doctor,” and increase incentives to seek medical care, which prevents small health problems from becoming big health problems. Employees pay no co-payments for the care, and no deductibles, preventing delays for financial reasons. Primary care, labs, free prescriptions and more can be accomplished in just one visit. Disease management and monitoring, plus wellness programs ensure chronic diseases are kept in check. Free health risk assessments (HRAs) and lab work for evaluation of cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure are conducted onsite to uncover or mitigate health risks, according to a press release.
One Crowne client, the City of Ocoee, Florida, was experiencing significant problems with its existing employee health coverage for its over 300 employees -- namely cost. The city faced annual premium increases of 15to 24 percent before pursuing on-site healthcare options for its employees. Once it implemented its own on-site health center, it saw 6,800 employee and family visits at the Ocoee health center and nearly 1000 more visits at its partner center in the City of Apopka. All in all, the on-site facility saved the city more than $1 million, including more than a 70 percent decrease in workers' compensation medical costs.
For more information about the benefits of on-site employee health care, visit http://www.crowneinc.com/.
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Dave Rodgriguez is Editor-in-Chief of HealthTechZone. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
