Vera Whole Health Blog

Launching An On-Site Clinic: It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint

Written by Vera Whole Health | Feb 19, 2019 4:03:00 PM

Employers faced with ever-rising healthcare costs are exhausted.

Forced to find new ways to balance their benefits with their budgets ... brings them to their wit's end. Because it never fails, they must offer less and spend more.

Maybe you've felt some of that chaos. And you're trying to engineer something that offers your organization a way out ...

An on- or near-site care center might be the right solution for you. We're not going to deceive you, this kind of advanced primary care isn’t a quick fix. Launching an on-site care center can take anywhere from 24-36 months. For employers feeling the pinch now, that can feel like an eternity.

But here's the deal: this is a permanent solution to rising healthcare costs. So the time and effort are worth it. And we’re here to help.

Find focus through behavior change

The power of behavior change is something we talk a lot about.

In our care centers, providers, health coaches, and staff are trained in behavior change so they can connect with patients and empower them to take control of their health. Behavior change is no different for employers considering an on-site clinic.

Here are six stages of change and how they apply to the timeline of launching your care center.

 

Stage 1: Precontemplation

You don’t intend to look into on- or near-site clinic options for your organization. Maybe your current benefit strategy is aligned with your organization’s culture and goals. Or maybe you don’t understand the potential of an on-site clinic at your organization.

Stage 2: Contemplation

You’re tired of dealing with the same problems every year and ready to consider alternative approaches to designing your benefit strategy. At the same time, you’re not quite ready to invest in something like an on-site clinic.

Stage 3: Preparation

You’re ready to take action. You’ve already taken small steps toward launching a care center, like requesting RFPs from different vendors or discussing the possibilities of an on-site clinic with your leadership team.

Stage 4: Action

You’ve decided to launch an on- or near-site care center at your organization. You’re taking control of your organization’s healthcare and committing to a solution that’s in the best interests of your business and your employees.

Stage 5: Maintenance

You’re in the process of launching your on-site care center. There are challenges and hiccups along the way, but you’re working through each stage with a vendor who supports you every step of the way.

Stage 6: Termination

Your clinic has launched and you are beginning to see results. Employees are getting the care they need when they need it, your healthcare costs are going down, and you don’t have to reinvent your benefit strategy every year. You’re out of the chaos of traditional healthcare.

No matter what stage of change you’re in, we’re here to help. Want a clear look at everything that goes into creating an on-site clinic? Check out our FREE eBook: The Strategic Guide to Planning and Launching an On-Site Clinic.