Last week, Northampton County Council began pondering a health center for county employees. Executive Lamont McClure advised his administration has been having discussions with Integrity Health over the past four years. This led to a survey of county employees, who were very favorably impressed by the idea. He now wants Council to understand the proposal, although costs have yet to be hammered down.
Making the presentation for Integrity was Doug Forrester, a former Republican candidate for the US Senate (2002) and Governor in New Jersey (2005). He founded Integrity after his daughter suffered a dramatic brain injury.
The employee health center being considered would be for employees and their families only. It would be a one-stop primary care environment offering doctor's visits, labs, pharmaceuticals, x-ray, chiropractor, mental health. If a referral for a specialist is needed or there is concern over exist8ing bills, this center would help the employee. He suggested a daily staffing of about 22 people who are salaried.
In the first year, he expects about 12,000 visits from employees within the first year.
This health center would be completely voluntary. Employees can still continue to see existing doctors. But if they choose to use the employee center, there is no co-pay. Employees are spared that expense, making much of their health care cost free.
In addition to being co-pay free, an employee's medical records would be confidential. It would be illegal to share with county administrators.
Integrity currently has five public health centers in New Jersey. In Pennsylvania, Lycoming County is in the process of building an Integrity Health Center.
Forrester indicated that an employee's health center would encourage more frequent visits and lead to more healthy workers. The county would be spared the cost of emergent or emergency centers. The county, which has self-funded insurance, already has to pay for doctor's visits at all these locations. But the expense at an employee health center will necessarily be lower. This means lower costs to the county and, in turn, the taxpayer.
My parents used the Bethlehem Steel center mostly for prescriptions and it was nice while it lasted. That, however, was before there was a hospital/pharmacy/hospital-affiliated health center every few miles. In today’s Lehigh Valley, it seems unnecessary for the County to take on this responsibility, as well.
ReplyDeleteNo thank you. Watched the presentation. Did Mr. McClure have your pal Mr. Barron write that for you. The "survey" if it exists would be interesting to see. No one wants doctors controlled by the administration
ReplyDeleteWould retirees be able to use this service?
ReplyDelete22 Salaried workers and free to those using it. I'm still doing the math.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I understand how costs will be lower if it’s voluntary. They still need to have insurance.
ReplyDelete"Would retirees be able to use this service?"
ReplyDeleteAccording to Forrester, that is a county decision.
"Not sure I understand how costs will be lower if it’s voluntary. They still need to have insurance."
ReplyDeleteThe county's insurance is self-funded. So the county, and not an insurance company, is paying the cost. The idea is that if this service is used for primary care, it will be less expensive than what is being paid to family doctors or emergent/emergency centers. The drugs will be less expensive. The routine tests will be less expensive. Also, the view is that employees who use this center will be more willing to do so bc they won't have to pay. This will prevent them from getting really sick and lead to a healthier workforce .
According to Forrester, he can demonstrate considerable savings at the locations in New Jersey. County Council wants proof. If he is convincing, I expect this to continue. If not, it won't.
"22 Salaried workers and free to those using it. I'm still doing the math."
ReplyDeleteYes. The county saves some $ bc it is spared the expenses charged by the private sector, even when they pretend to be nonprofit.
"No thank you. Watched the presentation. Did Mr. McClure have your pal Mr. Barron write that for you. The "survey" if it exists would be interesting to see. No one wants doctors controlled by the administration"
The doctors would not be controlled by the administration. They would NOT be the "company" doctors you are required to see for worker's comp. These are primary care physicians.
Tell me if this sounds like something else??? If you like your doctor you wont lose him or have to change!!! ???
DeleteAt the five health centers where this is going on, that is precisely the case. In this instance, employees have been able to keep their own doctors if they wanted, although they have co-pays. It has been popular with both employees and unions. Moreover, many of their doctors get on the staff of local hospitals so that care can continue in hospitalized settings.
ReplyDeleteThe only real question for the county is whether this will help reduce sharply rising medical costs.
You get what you pay for so why even take a chance when if comes to your health and well being!
ReplyDeleteCost are NEVER Lower it just matters to who gets to put money in their pocket instead.
ReplyDeleteMClure has been bitching about FMLA for the last 5 years - looks like he found a way to finally deny employees their federally guaranteed leave. If you buy that this is to benefit the employees I have some magic beans to sell you.
ReplyDeleteBack in the mid 1980s a NORCO sheriff supervisor was arrested for posing as a medical professional and giving rectal exams to sheriff applicants. Perhaps they could bring him back to work in the proposed medical center to save the county money.
ReplyDeleteNo way! This happened?!
DeleteThis administration has done nothing but screw the employees. How are we supposed to trust them now. Bend over fellow employees and let's make sure there is a good proctologist included in the plan. This administration has proven we are going to need one.
ReplyDeleteOk, so yes you love McClure and his legion but this narrative smells of horseshit.
ReplyDeleteSavings?? Love of employees?
The county must pay for a building or lease office area for this facility. The county will pay the salaries of all these "professionals". The county will purchase all the medical equipment they need. The claim is it will pay for itself since the costs will be less than going to any other health networks. Yes, we all know the county is self-funded, but the upfront costs alone will be huge. These maintenance costs will be huge and what if the number of employee claims is low? The county will still have to pay out to all the doctors and the health systems employees go to regardless of this plan.
What if this goes bust? The county is stuck with a building and/or a lease and a lot of used medical equipment. The numbers just don't jive with reality.
Sorry but this smells of your buddy Barron and his oversized ego ideas. He thinks he is a financial genius as well as an overall genius. Problem is he is neither.
This is a plan for a future Health Department to be furnished by the county. Stop this silly deal and whomever it is financially benefitting and pay your employees!
What happens if your out of town and you or your family need emergency treatment?
ReplyDeleteThere are many healthcare facilities in this area offering all levels of intervention. Why the hell would Northampton County try to duplicate these services? They don't do well with places like Gracedale and they can't staff their current services. Crazy.
ReplyDelete