Memphis offers in-house health clinic for workers
City follows growing trend
On Wednesday, the city of Memphis will join the ranks of the roughly 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies that offer inhouse health clinics for their workers.
The city is partnering with Methodist Healthcare and Cigna to open such a clinic in Midtown at 2714 Union Ext. on the fifth floor of the Coastal Corporate Center just off Poplar. “One of our largest cost is health care,” said Mayor A C Wharton. “If we can find anywhere just to take a little notch out of what we are spending ... it is an immediate bottom-line result for us.”
City officials say they are already saving an estimated $ 5 million over three years now t hat Memphis Light, Gas & Water employees’ health i nsurance has been included with the city’s health insurance contracts. “This is just another step,” Wharton explained.
Other area companies that have similar health clinics on site and are offering free or low- cost health care include International Paper, Shelby County Schools, Nike and Hollywood Casino.
“This is a trend and it is really picking up speed as employers try to be more proactive in getting people to a healthier status overall,” said Methodist Healthcare CEO Gary Shorb. “They know a healthier employee is a more productive employee.”
Nationally, Toyota, Pepsi Bottling Group, General Motors are among the 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies that have workplace health clinics.
The Memphis clinic will be open for ap- pointments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a. m. until 1 p. m. The city has 6,570 workers, 3,854 retirees and 13,284 dependents who will be eligible to use the clinic. Because of the location and convenience, city officials hope to reduce sick leave time as well.
Visits will cost a flat $15 fee. The nurse practitioner will handle strep tests, general upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, cold and f lu symptoms, muscle sprains and minor cuts and burns. Within the building, the city has about 70 workers working in the permits office, city code enforcement, human resources and police and fire personnel. About a block north, the city has its public works yard.
The city is providing the clinic space. Cigna is covering about $154,000 for first-year operating costs, including $97,000 in start up costs.