More large companies are opening on-site medical clinics for employees as they aim to control their healthcare spending, according to an employer survey conducted by Mercer and the National Association of Worksite Health Centers.
The survey results showed growth in the prevalence of on-site clinics providing health services for employees, particularly among large companies. Thirty-three percent of companies with 5,000 or more employees offer general medical clinics at their worksite, and an additional 11 percent of employers of this size are considering adding a clinic by 2019. That represents a significant increase from 2012, when 24 percent of large companies offered on-site clinics.
As more employers expand the range of services offered at their clinics, most are choosing to outsource administration. However, companies like Amazon and Apple are bucking this trend and embarking on the ventures internally, according to CNBC.
Amazon is reportedly launching a primary care clinic for a small number of employees at its headquarters in Seattle. After considering outsourcing clinic operations and hearing proposals from vendors, Amazon decided to develop the clinics internally. Meanwhile, Apple is hiring for AC Wellness, a group of health clinics for its employees and their families.
Amazon, Apple and other large companies are opening clinics as a way to control healthcare costs. The majority (89 percent) of those who responded to the Mercer and NAWHC survey said their top objective for their clinics is having better control of their overall healthcare spending.
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