On-site clinics reduce costs

Many medium and large employers, in their never-ending battle to cut costs and provide benefits to their employees, are opting for on-site medical clinics. On-site medical clinics can lower the cost of general health benefit programs and lower the cost of medical care associated with workers’ compensation claims. On-site medical clinics have shown they can curb the rapidly rising cost of medical care for both personal and work-related injuries and illnesses.

Some employers are hiring physicians themselves, and others are using contracted providers who also provide software, protocols, and other tools to assist physicians.

Medical care provided in the workplace, convenient and effective treatment

With the clinic on site, medical care is provided at the workplace, which is convenient for employees who would otherwise have to leave work for care. Clinic staff assess injuries and illnesses; many cases can be treated on site. Employees are referred to off-site medical facilities only if the injury or illness is beyond the reach of the medical professionals at the on-site clinic.

On-site clinics often use a variety of staffing models, including registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, with the collaboration and direction of the physician as needed. Depending on the employer’s needs, on-site clinics may have a doctor. When managed properly, on-site physicians can provide high-quality healthcare while reducing overall costs. They can also provide other health services such as wellness and statutory exams, etc. On-site clinics may include X-ray machines and pharmacy services, although costs and state regulations affect the feasibility of those services. Good on-site medical clinic providers will tailor the services provided to the needs of the employer.

Employee benefits

Benefits for the employee injured on the job include:

Medical services available when the typical doctor’s office is closed: nights, weekends, and holidays

No appointment necessary

Immediate medical care after an injury.

In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, the employee also enjoys easy access to medical care, assistance with chronic medical problems, and guidance for healthy living.

Benefits for employers

Benefits to the injured worker’s employer include:

Assess and treat employee injuries immediately

Avoid unnecessary and external medical treatments

Referral to appropriate and selected preferred medical providers when off-site care is needed

Improved results and faster return to work, increasing productivity

Help keep all workers healthy and productive

Reduce absenteeism

Significantly lower cost for medical services for workers’ compensation claims

May provide physical exams

Drug screening

Improvement of the general health of employees.

Enhanced morale employee

Increase employee retention

You can coordinate the use of the pharmacy with your Pharmacy Benefits Manager

Timely report of injury and medical information to relevant parties.

The First Report of Injury form is completed and filed at both the state and the claims office.

Deal with workers’ compensation and health care

On the workers’ compensation side, on-site clinics can treat lacerations, strains, sprains, other minor orthopedic injuries, abscess drainage, minor skin infections, and other routine acute medical conditions. On the healthcare side, on-site clinics can treat a whole range of minor medical conditions that cause employees to lose time on the job, including strep throat, colds, ear and eye infections, skin lesion removal and vaccines.

Clinics used for any site with 1000+ employees

On-site clinics are not just for industrial sites like factories and mines or large office centers. On-site clinics can be operated for almost any industry where there are 1,000 or more employees at one location. Mobile and temporary clinics are used for large construction projects such as skyscrapers, power plants, and roads. All clinics must be equipped with the necessary furniture, supplies, equipment, and medications.

The cost of drug testing for both applicant employees and existing employees can be significantly reduced by using an on-site clinic. Drug testing due to reasonable suspicion, random testing, and post-accident screening tests can be completed by the on-site clinic. In many states, timely drug testing after an accident can be used to deny workers’ compensation benefits to employees who are under the influence of a drug at the time of their injury. A positive drug test result can be sent to a certified laboratory for further confirmation.

Make sure to select a quality on-site medical provider

When an employer selects the medical provider on the spot, select a medical provider who will provide an ongoing review of the quality of service they provide. Quality of service can be assessed through patient reviews and comments, clinical audits, and staff performance evaluations.

On-site clinics also carry costs and risks. To be successful, personnel must be trained for the job on site and supported by appropriate software, operating systems, supplies, medical direction, protocols, quality control, and other infrastructure. The medical practice must have malpractice insurance covering the employer and comply with HIPAA, GINA, HITECH, and other privacy regulations. Additionally, some on-site providers may have conflicts of interest if they are financially linked to the off-site hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies to which they refer.

For more information on on-site clinics, please contact us.