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County reports increased employee use of new on-site clinic; insurer covers substantial service costs
Summary
County staff reported the on-site clinic run by Astia at the Lakeview campus opened in February and that employee visits have increased compared with the prior provider; the county’s insurer is covering a portion of clinic operating costs and lab/imaging charges.
County staff reported that the new on-site clinic operator, Astia, began providing care to county employees at three near-site locations in November and opened an on-site clinic at the Lakeview campus on Feb. 24. Staff said utilization has increased compared with the previous clinic provider and that the county’s insurer (GHT) is covering a portion of operating and clinical costs.
Human-resources staff said the previous clinic averaged about 76 appointments per month; with Astia the three-month average rose to about 100 visits per month. The county said Astia provides primary and urgent care, lab and imaging services, minor procedures and some prescription dispensing, and that the vendor has taken over preemployment physicals and drug screens.
County employees and supervisors reported positive feedback about the expanded services and the no-direct-charge model for employees; staff said GHT covers roughly 55% of the county’s per-member-per-month clinic costs and is also covering lab and imaging fees and some prescriptions under the current arrangement. Staff said there is not yet a realized insurance premium saving; any long-term savings would show over renewal periods or if the county later changes plan design or moves to self-funding.
Staff said they will continue to provide utilization and financial updates to the committee as part of a multi-step strategy to manage long-term health costs.
