The Workplace: An Innovative and Cost-Effective Practice Site

Abstract

Abstract

A significant portion of our nation's health care is financed by employer-sponsored health care benefit plans. Employers now realize the importance of devising cost-saving measures beyond restrictions on coverage for services. In 1984 a corporation in the Southeast United States established a nurse practitioner-managed health care center on-site for employees and certain dependents. This health care center offers quality primary care, identification of risk factors, early intervention and health education. The intangible benefits include easy access to health care and time-saving convenience. The health care center demonstrated impressive cost-effectiveness. The combination of a self-funded insurance program and an on-site nurse practitioner-managed primary health care practice saved the company more than $791,000 in 1987. Establishing health care centers at the workplace offers new opportunities for nurse practitioner practice sites and cost savings for corporations.