Last night, Northampton County Council received a presentation from the committee that reviewed three bids for a voluntary and exclusive health center for county employees (and possibly retirees). Although Council member John Brown still had reservations, it appears that the rest of County Council and perhaps Brown himself may be warming to the idea. Council member Tom Giovanni was part of the committee reviewing the bids, and he recommended that they discuss the matter with Council. The committee has chosen Integrity Health, but a contract is still being finalized. The purpose of the presentation was to keep County Council in the loop.
The County did issue a news release concerning the health center:
Integrity Health has been selected by the Request for Proposal Committee, which includes Northampton County Commissioner Tom Giovanni, Director of Human Services Susan Wandalowski, Director of Human Resources Mary Lou Kaboly, Director of Fiscal Affairs Stephen Barron, and Procurement Manager Kathryn Anderson, to provide an on-site health and wellness center only for Northampton County employees and employee dependents covered under the county’s health plan.
“The Administration of Northampton County is dedicated to providing its employees with the best health and wellness care available while controlling costs for county employees and taxpayers,” says [Exec] Lamont G. McClure.
A cost assessment calculates savings to the taxpayer of $1.5 million - $2 million per year. The services provided by the Employee Health Center would be confidential and strictly voluntary, and County employees will not be required to visit the center, nor will they be required to leave their primary care doctor. All services at the center will be provided on a no-copay basis. The center would be open seven days a week, 10 hours a day on weekdays and five hours a day on weekends, and allow patients to make same and next-day appointments. Virtual appointments provide additional convenience for patients.
Integrity Health operates several health centers in New Jersey and expanded to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
4 comments:
What a great presentation, this would be a huge plus for NorCo employees no more copays , free prescriptions, convenient hours, it will definitely attract new employees. It’s amazing to listen to John Brown, and Lori Vargo find ways of screwing the employees. John Brown said we had Cadillac insurance when he was executive and gave us the worst insurance ever.
John Brown, an Lori Vargo are like co-pays they both suck
It is just a step in the direction of county employees losing their PPO or HSA. It will start off like this, and in five years it will be your only choice because they will say county is losing so much money in their kitty for medical benefits.
Remember everyone the county is self insured. And percentages come from the wages of employees. And what have employees not been getting?? Steps.. so medical cost goes up wages stay the same so contributions stay the same and the pot gets smaller. Unless they raise our contributions percentage which has happened in the past.
I know I am just some little employee who carries keys and watches inmates but I can figure that out.
And let's not forget the pension fund..when you have been somewhere for over a decade and still on step four your pension isn't looking to good. We are gonna be in the boat soon were the retires are making more than the workers. Ask the steel workers how that worked out.
Or we can go back to John Brown insurance
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