Mobile County approves workplace health clinic for employees

MOBILE, Al.
The Mobile County Commission Monday approved a plan to open its own health clinic for employees.
The county has said that it will cost about $200,000 to renovate and furnish the clinic in its property off Azalea Road. The county will pay an additional $640,000 annually to Infirmary Health Medical Clinics PC to run the clinic.

The commission vote to approve the deal with Infirmary Health is subject to approval of the contract by the county’s legal staff.
Nancy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the county, said that the attorneys were looking at small language issues and that the cost structure would not change.
Commission President Connie Hudson praised the staff for hammering out the deal, which has been in the works for about two years.
County officials say the clinic will save money on insurance payments. While insurance costs can vary from year to year based on the number of visits, the county’s arrangement with Infirmary Health is based largely on a flat-rate structure, according to the county.
Additionally, because the clinic will be married with a wellness program, the county believes it will help prevent chronic diseases that drive up health care spending.
In order to encourage employees to participate, the clinic will be available to them without a co-pay.
Such workplace health clinics have become increasingly popular for large employers in recent years. WellNow, which also submitted a proposal to the county, recently signed a deal with Continental Motors at the Brookley Aeroplex, said Clint Jones, WellNow’s vice president.