Trying to stem the tide of rising health care costs, district officials are adding Washington Township to a growing list of U.S. public school systems that offer on-site care to teachers and their families.
“Across the board, Americans are going to be paying more for health insurance,” said Superintendant James Mervilde. “We’re trying to hold down the cost of premiums to make it affordable. We really don’t want to price our employees out of the health insurance market.”
In two months, the 450 teachers enrolled in Washington Township’s health care plan are expected to get a 1,000-square-foot clinic attached to Northview Middle School.
The facility, to open in early November, will offer appointments and medications without copayment charges.
While the concept is a relatively new one to Central Indiana schools, it’s something that corporate America has already tested. From carmakers to soft drink companies, firms have reported offering such options.
In Indiana, clinics have popped up at Vectren Energy and Red Spot Paint & Varnish, both in Evansville, Batesville Tool & Die, and Biddle Precision Components in Sheridan.
“We are beginning to see more and more about it,” said Leslie Condre, director of client services for Novia CareClinics, the firm that will manage Washington Township’s clinic and operates similar facilities in Brownsburg, Concord and Mishawaka school districts. “All of the groups that have utilized this particular model are starting to see the inflation disappear from their health care plan.”
The Washington Township clinic will be open at least through May 2009, per a contract with teachers. But district administrators, who are predicting its success, already are considering additional staff they could include in the plan.
“We are going to have people that are going to take advantage of this because it’s convenient,” said Rick Doss, director of human resources. “The other aspect is the prescription piece — the fact that generic prescriptions will be free.”
Lowering the price tag
The objective is to slow rising health care costs from all angles.
“This idea is this will decrease the use of our existing health plan and defray some of the costs so that the annual increase we see over time will be diminished,” said Doss.
Teachers were facing an 11 percent increase in their premiums, he said. Instead, officials agreed to install the clinic and add deductibles and copays for nonclinic office visits into teachers’ health care plans.
Proponents of the plan also say some who don’t regularly go to the doctor will use the facility, aiding in preventive care.
The clinic also is expected to decrease teacher absenteeism, said Glenda Ritz, president of the Washington Township Education Association, which supports the measure.
A substitute for the family doctor?
But some in the medical community aren’t sure such clinics are really good for their patients.
People who trade regular visits to on-site clinics for an ongoing relationship with a traditional primary care physician might be risking their health by fragmenting their medical care, according to Dr. Deanna Willis, assistant professor of family medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine.
“I think the biggest challenge with a service like this is it is not comprehensive primary care and, as such, it causes disruption of the primary care . . . that a patient has with their own physician.”
The doctor said she thinks that good communication between clinic professionals and primary care physicians could help.
The plan is better than those for retail clinics in drug stores, said Dr. Richard Feldman, director of medical education and family medicine residency at Indianapolis-based St. Francis Hospitals and Health Centers.
“I think it has a place if it’s done correctly. I don’t think retail clinics are legitimate,” said Feldman, also a former state health commissioner. “It shouldn’t become a substitute for the family doctor — that is the important point.”
« Back to News