There are numerous benefits of having an onsite health clinic, including reducing health care spend, increasing productivity, and retaining top talent, just to name a few. While these are clear advantages for employers, how do onsite clinics benefit employees? From minimizing costs, to providing flexibility, accountability and support, having an onsite clinic not only benefits a company, but that company's people as well. 

In this blog, we’ll outline the top five reasons employees value onsite health clinics and why.

1. Minimizes out-of-pocket costs

Employees are paying more for their care as copays and deductibles continue to rise. Plus, a lack of understanding of how to navigate the health care system can make it difficult for employees to get the care they need. Also, concerns around costs can often be overwhelming and confusing. Onsite wellness fills the gap by providing employees with the convenient, quality, comprehensive healthcare they need- at no cost to the employee.

What's more, is that employees who utilize these onsite clinic services can receive additional financial benefits such as premium differentials, if the company offers an incentive. 

2. Provides accountability and support for living a healthier lifestyle 

Meeting regularly with an onsite provider helps hold employees accountable for improving their health and gives them the support they need to follow through with a clear action plan. Having one-on-one time gives employees a chance to ask questions they may have about their health, and helps them stay on track to achieve their goals. Many of these goals are focused around prevention, which means in addition to providing continuous support, an onsite provider helps employees identify, manage, and prevent chronic conditions from occurring in the first place. 

3. Encourages and facilitates a solid relationship with a health care provider

Having an onsite clinic at the workplace gives employees the opportunity to build a personal relationship with a trusted health professional. Building rapport with a provider can encourage employees to talk more freely about things such as mental health, financial wellness, and other issues they are struggling with, outside from their physical health. One-on-one visits give the employee and provider quality time together to discuss various health topics, answer questions, and get to know each other on a deeper level.

4. Offers a first-level line of support with health care navigation

Many employees lack a primary care physician (PCP). This means that oftentimes they don’t get the care they need, they over-utilize emergency room services, they are less educated about their health risks and they are more likely to develop costly conditions. Onsite health clinics help with health care navigation by connecting employees to a PCP and providing additional education on available health resources. In other words, they act as a "first line of defense" when it comes to employee health.

5. Allows for convenient access to care

Onsite clinics provide employees with convenient access to high quality care. This eliminates the usual travel and wait times associated with a normal doctor's office, allowing employees to be more efficient and productive. Plus, they get more quality time with their provider. Compared to a PCP, onsite providers serve fewer people, allowing them to spend more time with each employee. With the accessibility and flexibility of onsite clinics, participants are able to focus on their well-being without having to leave the workplace.

Onsite clinics-when done right-can have an a major impact on the workplace, for employers and employees alike. By reducing costs, providing support, and allowing for convenient access to care, employees are able to build rapport with their provider and focus on improving their health-- all while staying productive at the workplace.