Here are some of our frequently asked questions. If this list does not contain your question or the answer given seems insufficient, please feel free to contact Novia directly with your inquiry.
The evidence of the effectiveness of clinics and related wellness initiatives undertaken by larger employers is well documented. But most workers in the U.S. work for smaller employers. The need to extend these tools to smaller and mid-sized employers is critical, particularly in order to effect and measure wellness and preventative intitiatives that need to be taken, as a process to help mitigate rapidly increasing healthcare expenditures. The size of the clinic is specifically tailored to correspond with the utilization of the employer. Through a combination of web based practice management systems, internet accessible health risk assessments, and professional management and oversight, Novia CareClinics offers on-site clinics to employers with as few as 100 employees (at a single site).
The employer pays a "per employee/per month" management fee plus actual costs for staffing, generic prescription drugs, lab tests and replacement supplies. The employees do not pay for the services or prescriptions dispensed from the clinic.
Employers are able to gain savings through the wholesale cost of clinic services, increased overall health of their employees and dependents, and through a gain in productivity by employee's shorter "time off" for physician visits.
The clinic offers all of the primary care services you would expect from a family physician or internist.
You would then seek care through your medical benefit plan and its network of providers. Since the clinic physicians are generally recruited from your network, they are well aware of protocols required by your plan for referrals to specialty providers of care and treatment.
Generally, the clinic would be used by employees and their dependents. However, since the clinic is separate from the employer's medical benefit plan and not subject to insurance guidelines, the employer may choose to allow others to also utilize the clinic. Example: part time employees, retirees, etc.
All scheduling is done on-line, in real time. If you do not have access to online services, you may call an "800" number and you will be assisted in making your appointment.
The employer designates those eligible to use the clinic. In most instances, employees and their eligible dependents may use the clinic.
Appointments are scheduled in twenty-minute blocks (three patients per hour). Normally, there is little or no waiting once you arrive at the clinic.
All medical personnel are recruited by Novia CareClinics from within the employer's area. Recruitment starts with the provider network already in place for your medical benefit plan. Physicians are recruited from designations such as family practice, general practice, internal medicine and occupational medicine. To qualify a candidate, Novia CareClinics goes through a rigorous due diligence process which includes an interview with the employer.
No, with the model recommended by Novia CareClinics, the use of the on-site clinic is completely voluntary.
In most cases, the generic form of the drug you are taking will be available through the clinic. In some cases, brand drugs may also be dispensed through the clinic. There is no cost to the patient for medications dispensed through the clinic. If your prescription is written at the clinic and then filled at a local pharmacy, the deductible or co-pays of your medical benefit plan will apply.
According to the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators, the IRS has stated that on-site clinic programs, that are limited to primary care and similar services, are not health plans. As such, the IRS has indicated to the SPBA that specific guidance on this issue is not necessary with regard to HSAs. As with all IRS matters, it is recommended that you consult with a tax advisor in the event of questions regarding the use of an HSA.
Most Novia clinics have more than one doctor or nurse practitioner. When you are scheduling your appointment, you will know which professional will be available and you may schedule your appointment accordingly. Also, remember the use of the clinic and its staff is completely voluntary and you always have the option of using another physician or facility.
The clinic offers a Health Risk Assessment which provides a thorough analysis and profile of your health status. Novia CareClinics also offers health coaching, on-line medical information, medication compliance programs, 24-hour nursing consultation, and directed wellness and disease management programs. From time-to-time, clinics may offer special disease-specific programs, health fairs or screenings. Clinics may also offer certain "women" or "men" only days or programs.
All those who have participated in the assessment should schedule an appointment to review their personal results with the clinic physician. If the result of the assessment warrants immediate action, you will be contacted by either the clinic physician or nurse health coach to advise you of the results and what actions you should take.
All medical records are kept in an electronic format which is HIPPA compliant and completely confidential. Novia maintains the data on this system and it is used only by those involved in providing services in the clinic, including primarily medical personnel. The medical personnel and the patient have access to medical records. Neither Novia nor any service provider may use the data for any purpose other than the operation of the clinic. In no event is individual medical data furnished or made available to the employer.
Yes, you will have online access to you electronic patient records (including the results from your Health Risk Assessment).
Clinic usage is gathered from on-line records, compiled and analyzed by Novia CareClinics. This allows Novia CareClinics to monitor medical supplies and drug inventories, as well as the perecnt capacity usage of the clinic. This information allows Novia to report results and make recommendations to the employer. No individual medical information is ever reported or shared with the employer in the management or reporting process. All on-line records are completely confidential and HIPPA compliant.
The drugs dispensed by the clinic are generally generic in nature and reflect the usage patterns of those using the clinic. Some brand names may be dispensed from the clinic, if they can be obtained at a price that makes it cost effective to do so. No controlled substances are stored or dispensed by the clinic. Clinic physicians may write prescriptions for these controlled medications, to be filled at a local pharmacy, as needed.
The employer designates those eligible to use the clinic. Generally, employees and their dependents are eligible to use the clinic, free of charge.
The employer pays a monthly management fee to Novia CareClinics based on the employers census. The monthly cost of staffing, prescription drugs, lab tests and replacement supplies are billed to the employer on a truely transparent cost basis.
