Columbia College opened an on-site clinic operated by Oklahoma-based Care ATC for its more than 875 employees, spouses and dependents March 5. The clinic at the college’s headquarters is the first Care ATC clinic in the state. It is staffed by two doctors, a certified nurse practitioner and a medical assistant.

“The hassle of seeking care under the traditional system inhibits many employees from going to the doctor until it’s critical,” said Mike DeSalle, Columbia College Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Business Affairs. “By making healthcare readily accessible in the workplace, we are able to monitor chronic issues and catch illnesses at the earliest stages to delay or prevent major complications.

“We have already found that the on-site clinic has reduced absenteeism and increased worker productivity. Early indications also point to a net reduction in our total healthcare spending.”

While the concept of offering medical services at work is not new, companies are increasingly moving away from the occupational health model that focuses on treating on-the-job injuries toward a model that focuses on preventative healthcare.

“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, healthcare costs decrease as employees and their families experience fewer catastrophic health claims.”

The number of companies that 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 6 percent reported they plan to open clinics in the next year.

One measure of the growth of on-site clinics is Oklahoma-based Care ATC, a national provider of on-site physician clinics, which has 37 clients operating 41 clinics. After a steady growth rate the past few years, Care ATC saw its business double in 2007 and expects the same or greater growth in 2008.

Users of its services have reduced healthcare costs by a minimum of $500 per employee per year on average. In addition, a recent study by Principal Financial Group found that wellness programs show a 2-to-1 return on investments for employers.

Source: The Earth Times
Original Publication Date: April 2, 2008