BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina's large-group customers will be offered assistance in setting up onsite employee health centers.
The clinics will integrate with BlueCross' health management programs.
BlueCross is collaborating with Reston, Va.-based Comprehensive Health Services, which establishes, staffs and operates worksite clinics. The arrangement will allow employers to integrate clinic information and patient care with BlueCross' health management programs.
BlueCross will link its accounts directly with CHS to establish clinics to provide such services as occupational healthcare, non-work related acute care and preventive services. While treating employees, CHS clinic staff are expected to use the opportunity to educate and guide patients with chronic diseases, including referrals to area primary care and specialist physicians.
"South Carolina employers are asking for ways to better manage and save money in their healthcare costs. Employer-sponsored clinics have shown that they can improve the overall health of an employee population, with the added benefit of improving productivity," said Matt Shaffer, senior vice president of BlueCross' major group unit. "We're going the next step by integrating our BlueCross disease management services when a clinic identifies an employee whose health is at risk."
CHS' models are built onsite or nearby, with a variety of medical services available for employees and dependents during work days as well as in evenings or on weekends.
"We are in the business of positively changing patient behavior. When this happens, health improves, productivity increases and costs come down," said Stuart Clark, CHS' executive vice president. "Companies that engage this model typically take 12-18 months to recover capital expenses associated with start-up, but our experience shows in year two a company will begin to bend the curve relative to obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes costs."