Employers measure the success of an onsite health center in many different ways. Accordingly, the priorities identified by the health center's sponsor should lead the design of a successful health center program. Financial, health and satisfaction measures comprise the broad categories of program success.
As seen in the chart below, the range of benefits employers gain with a good onsite health center program is impressive. At the same time, many people don’t realize that health centers also deliver an unexpected benefit. An onsite health center boosts the all-around attachment of employees to their employer. Done right, the health center program also acts as a multiplier of the employer’s overall investment in benefits and employee well-being.
First, let's look from the employer’s perspective at what they hope to gain from an onsite health center. We’ll then turn to the employee perspective, and that’s where statistics reveal some surprises. Include an onsite health center in an employer's overall benefits strategy and you'll find impacts that reach far beyond the medical scope of services.
What makes an employer consider an onsite, nearsite or shared health center?
Employer wants to save money
- Positive ROI
- Reduce trend in medical spending
- Reduce ER and Urgent Care visits
- Reduce employee out-of-pocket costs
Employer wants to save time
- Reduce delays to treatment for illness or injury
- Increase timely prevention and wellness care
- Simplify access for lab testing
Employer wants to boost productivity
- Reduce unplanned absenteeism
- Reduce days lost from work
- Reduce presenteeism (working distracted)
Employer wants to improve health
- Screen for health risks
- Manage chronic conditions
- Engage and empower patients
- Focus on lifestyle medicine, healthy habits
Employer wants to improve care quality
- Make appropriate specialist referrals
- Advocate and educate patients for shared decision-making
- Help patients understand and follow their care plans
Employer wants to win the talent war
- Attract and retain top talent
- Boost employee morale
- Create a culture of health
How does having an onsite health center affect employee attitudes?
A 2015/2016 survey by Willis Towers Watson* shows the powerful boost to employee attitudes that comes with offering a workplace medical health center. Employees are more likely to say they’ll stay with their employers when they have an onsite health center. They report more sustainable engagement. They more often cite the employer’s healthcare plan as an important reason to join or stay with the organization. And, they are in greater agreement that their employer healthcare plan meets their needs.
Employers are often frustrated that the wellness programs they offer are not used to the extent they are needed. It’s here that the most surprising effect of onsite health centers can be seen. Employees are more likely to participate, track and sustain a healthier lifestyle when a health center provider encourages their success. They better recognize their employer’s efforts to promote a healthy work environment. And, they are more empowered and engaged with the modern tools they can use for their own lifestyle management.
Source: 2015/2016 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey U.S., as presented by Bruce Hochstadt, MD at Healthstat University: Forward Series 2017.
In record numbers, employers are implementing onsite health centers with common goals in mind. They want to save money on medical claims. They’re looking to improve primary care access and health outcomes. They want to boost employee productivity. And they want to compete for top talent as an employer of choice. Onsite health centers deliver measurable improvements in each of these areas.
But let’s not overlook some additional benefits your health center program offers. It’s a living symbol of your commitment to employee well-being. The onsite health center makes a difference in how your employees feel about the benefits you offer them. And it helps them to stay more engaged.
Interested in exploring how Marathon Health's direct primary care services might fit into your organization’s benefits offering? Contact us today to learn more.