Medical Clinic for County Employees Proposed

Posted on: Jan 19th, 2012 | News and Announcements

Taking the initiative against rising health care costs, Mobile County Commissioners voiced support today for a proposal to establish a health and wellness clinic. The commissioners will formally vote on the proposal at their meeting set for 10 a.m. Monday at Government Plaza. The new health care program covers employees, retirees and their adult dependents that are covered under the county?s existing health insurance plan, which will continue unchanged. Infirmary Medical Clinics P.C. will be a partner in the program, providing the staff and management for the clinic. ?This is a win-win for employees and taxpayers,? said County Commissioner Mike Dean. ?Employees have another option for less expensive medical care and the county brings down overall costs for health insurance.? The program is purely voluntary for insured employees and their adult dependents. The advantages to them are many. There is no co-pay for a visit. Some generic prescription medications will be available to users for free. No claim process is involved. A health risk assessment and plan is available for free. The county also realizes a return on the program. Employees are more likely to take preventative measures, whether it is a timely visit to the clinic or health management steps based on the health assessment. The assessment consists of a questionnaire and lab testing that can identify health problems. Remedial actions will be recommended medical personnel based on the assessment. ?The wellness component will be very valuable to all of us by holding down costs and making healthier and more productive employees,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. ?It brings a preventative approach to health care.? The clinic will be located on the west end of then Michael Square Shopping Center complex that currently houses offices of the Revenue and License Commissions. The space, currently vacant, will be renovated this spring. If approved by the Commission Monday, it could be operational as early as late spring. The clinic will have no impact on the existing health insurance coverage available to county employees through Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The coverage will remain the same. The county administration has been investigating the clinic option for about three years. While there is no exact calculation of what the savings will be for the county because of fluctuations in usage and in health care costs. However, similar clinic programs have realized substantial savings over time. ?This is a great example of how we can work smarter to provide the same or better services at a savings to our citizens,? said Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson. The County Commission has been steadily working to improve employee health care and contain its costs. In the last year, it has implemented a tobacco cessation program and a 24/7 nurse line to answer routine medical questions. ###