The Doctor Comes to You

Walgreen execs said yesterday that the company’s buying a shop called I-trax for about $260 million and another company called Whole Health Management for an undisclosed amount, the WSJ reports.

Like its archrival CVS, Walgreen is no longer content with its retail business selling prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and a random assortment of groceries and novelty items. Walgreen and CVS have both been busy opening retail clinics to provide health care in their stores. And last year, CVS merged with the giant pharmacy benefits manager to get into the business of managing companies’ prescription drug benefits.

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In an effort to contain health care costs, a growing number of businesses are establishing on-site clinics for employees and their families, as well as fitness centers and wellness programs.

The trend is being fueled by rising health care premiums. According to the 2006 Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey, released in late September 2006, employer health premiums rose by 7.7 percent in 2006. Although that increase is less than those of recent years, it is still considered burdensome by many employers.

“There is no question that on-site health clinics can deliver significant cost savings to employers, particularly when they take an outsourced approach,” said Kelly Victory, M.D., chief medical officer of Whole Health Management of Cleveland, Ohio, a company that provides on-site health and fitness solutions for more than 29 client organizations nationwide.

“We are able to save our clients money on their direct health care spending, in addition to their indirect costs, such as lost work time, lost productivity, and employee turnover,” Victory said.

Determining Applicability

Whole Health Management President Jim Hummer said health care is usually provided after preventable illnesses and disabilities arise. Instead, he tells potential clients, “We can help you achieve a healthier workforce that consumes less health care services and is more productive.”

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