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La Porte approves switch of employee clinic to Franciscan Healthy Access, effective May 1
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract to move the city's employee clinic from NorthShore to Franciscan Healthy Access, a change officials said will reduce costs while keeping employee services such as X-rays, blood work and on-site medication access.
The Board of Public Works and Safety on April 8 approved a contract to move La Porte City's employee clinic from NorthShore to Franciscan Healthy Access, with the new arrangement set to begin May 1.
City Human Resources Director Andrea Smith told the board the change will save the city money while retaining primary services for employees and dependents. Smith said X-rays, blood work and clinic visits would be free under the new arrangement and that a limited supply of commonly used medications would be available on site at no cost.
Smith said the city and Franciscan staff met with departments and will provide an information packet and in-person assistance for employees during the transition. Nick Napier of Brown & Brown, the city's insurance broker, told the board the broker is using a straight-fee payment model rather than commissions and will help manage employee questions during the rollout.
Franciscan representatives said the system will expand access and the new clinic network includes locations in La Porte, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Hobart, Portage, Munster and Crown Point; Franciscan clinics in Lafayette also are available to employees, the presenters said. Smith said at least one La Porte clinic location will be open on weekends, though that site will not dispense medication on Sundays.
Board members asked how medications that are not part of Franciscan's in-clinic formulary would be handled. Franciscan and Brown & Brown staff said cases would be handled individually: the medical director would review existing prescriptions and the city would provide resource packets and assistance to employees who may need alternative access or special exceptions.
Smith said employees received department-level briefings the previous day and that the city will hold an additional assistance session on April 17 to help employees with enrollment and prescription questions. The board voted to approve the contract.
The board also confirmed that the city issued a termination notice to NorthShore as part of the contract transition.
