The Humble Independent School District’s decision to contract on-site clinics for its employees illustrates this trend in businesses across the nation. Humble ISD is located north of Houston and is one of the state’s largest school districts.

Tulsa-based Care ATC and Houston-based TriSurant introduced new on-site physician clinics in Kingwood Dec. 1 and in Humble Oct. 1.

The number of organizations who offer on-site medical services has increased significantly in recent years. Nearly one-fourth of large businesses reported offering on-site medical services at the end of this past year, according to the non-profit National Business Group on Health. Another six percent reported they plan to open clinics in the next year.

Deductibles, co-pays and waiting rooms are a nuisance of the past for employees of the district. The clinics offer comprehensive health care to its 2,700+ eligible employees and family members at on-site clinics with easy access to the doctor.

On-site clinics are gaining popularity with many employer groups. As employers are struggling to control skyrocketing medical costs, clinics at the workplace are becoming part of the answer.

“The model is designed to give employers control and help them save money by improving the health of the entire organization,” said Tom Rogers, Care ATC Director of Business Development. “Because the focus is on preventive care, health care costs decrease as employees and their families experience fewer catastrophic health claims.”

Care ATC’s model has been shown to provide annual savings of $1,300 per employee compared to national trends. Rogers said companies using Care ATC’s services see both short-term and long-term savings. Organizations that have used this service for five years enjoy total health care costs that are lower than they were the year before opening clinics, inclusive of the costs for Care ATC services.

According to Dr. Mary Widmier, Humble ISD’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, the response to the clinics has been tremendous.

Care ATC and TriSurant worked closely with Humble ISD to customize the clinics to meet the district’s unique needs and interests. The clinics offer more one-on-one time with doctors than traditional primary care clinics, provide lab testing and other services at no cost to the patients. In addition employees’ family members on the organization’s health plan can utilize the clinics.

Humble ISD’s new clinics are each open four days a week and staffed by Dr. Joette Gracia-Trujillo, Dr. Michelle Legall and supporting medical personnel.

Source: MarketWatch
Original Publication Date: January 29, 2008