Let the Secret Out to Employees

Michael P. Hannafin

Account Executive

David Martin Agency, Inc.

mhannafin@davidmartinagency.com

davidmartinagency.com

Topic: Human Resources

It is no secret that healthcare premiums are on the rise; employers and employees alike are paying more out of pocket.   What most do not realize is that there are options regarding healthcare that still delivers quality, but at lower costs for both.  When was the last time you encouraged your employees to see a physician at the same place they may shop for tomatoes? 

In 2008, HealthPartners commissioned an independent study on the effectiveness of retail health clinics (http://www.healthpartners.com).  What they found was that the costs for individuals with the exact same illnesses paid 32% less at the retail health clinic than at the Urgent Care.  It was 35% less than visiting their primary care clinic and 73% less than in ER. 

Retail health clinics offer several other advantages over traditional doctors' offices or urgent care centers:

• Nearly all of them accept major insurance plans, and because they are usually attached to pharmacies, patients can fill their prescriptions immediately.
• Costs for routine procedures like flu shots, sore throat exams and cholesterol screenings are significantly lower - an average of $110, compared with $166 for doctors' offices, $156 for urgent care centers and $570 for hospital emergency departments.
• Most retail health clinics are open 7 days a week, up to 12 hours a day. The wait time at a retail health clinic is significantly less than the wait time at primary care offices, urgent care and the ER.

When communicating to employees the benefits of using these type of clinics, it is important to help them understand the importance of where and when to get care.  Most clinics, such as, MinuteClinic, Target Clinic, NowCare, Fairview Express Care, etc. are skilled in treating:  

• Minor allergic reactions
• Mild asthma
• Coughs, sore throat
• Bumps, minor cuts, scrapes
• Rashes, minor burns
• Sprains, strains
• Minor fevers, colds
• Minor headaches
• Ear or sinus pain
• Burning with urination
• Eye swelling, irritation, redness or pain
• Back pain
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Minor animal bites
• Vaccinations
• X-rays
• Stitches

Primary physicians, Urgent Care and Emergency rooms should be used for those with the following conditions:

• Any life-threatening or disabling condition
• Sudden or unexplained loss of consciousness
• Chest pain; numbness in the face, arm or leg; difficulty speaking
• Severe shortness of breath
• High fever with stiff neck, mental confusion or difficulty breathing
• Coughing or wound that won't stop bleeding
• Major injuries
• Possible broken bones

Retail health clinics created a delivery model that responds to consumer demand, providing quality medical treatment at a fraction of the cost of other methods.  Encourage your employees to consider retail health clinics through e-mail, posters and other educational methods.