HealthPartners worksite clinic improves access to preventive care and reduces cost

February 6, 2009

Bloomington, Minn. - A new case study of HealthPartners worksite clinic at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis found that the average cost per patient visit was nine percent less than traditional medical clinics.

The study, which analyzed insurance claims one year prior to the worksite clinic opening in Nov. 2006 through its first year of operation, also found that there was an eight percent increase in the number of employees seeking basic health care services during the clinics first year of operation. The worksite clinic also resolved patient conditions in the same number of office visits as traditional medical clinics.

The report also found that wellness coaching services available to employees through HealthPartners at the Hennepin County Government Center contributed to a 47 percent increase in the number of employees who met or exceeded the Surgeon Generals guideline of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or more days each week; an 18 percent decrease in the number of employees who made poor quality food choices and a five percent decrease in the number of employees at high risk of being diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease.

"This study confirms our belief that worksite clinics are a good option for employers who want to provide high quality, cost effective onsite health and wellness services for their employees," said Marcus Thygeson, M.D. HealthPartners vice president and medical director for consumer health solutions.

The worksite clinic, called HealthPartners Well@Work Hennepin accounts for nearly five percent of all primary care office visits for Hennepin County employees

HealthPartners Well@Work Hennepin, is available to Hennepin County employees and their adult dependents. The clinic offers routine health care screenings for acute and chronic conditions including, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, depression, and strep, among others. It also provides treatment for upper respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu, gastro-intestinal disorders, headache, skin irritations, musculoskeletal problems and urinary tract infections. The clinic also offers wellness services.

The clinic is staffed by a certified physician assistant who provides evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and wellness coaching under the supervision of a medical director. If a patient arrives with a more serious medical condition, they are referred to the appropriate health care provider. A physician is available for consultation by clinic staff at all times. In addition to the Hennepin County Government Center, HealthPartners operates Well@Work clinics at: Grede Foundries Inc. in St. Cloud, MN TURCK Inc. in Plymouth, MN Wilson Tool International in Hugo, MN

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About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners (www.healthpartners.com) family of healthcare companies serves more than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit healthcare organization in the nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community. For the third year in a row, HealthPartners is rated one of the best commercial health plans in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, NCQA's "America's Best Health Plans 2007".

Contact: Phone 952-883-5223
Cell 612-201-4511