County Commission | The Magazine April 2017 | Page 19

FROM THE COVER
Employee Clinic is Win-Win in Madison County
W
ith Madison County’s new
health clinic, employees are
getting better care, and the county
is saving $14 million a year.
It sounds almost too good to be
true, but it is real, and Dale Strong,
a longtime commissioner, counts it
among the highlights of his first four
years as chairman.
“Like most Madison County
businesses, we were faced with rising
healthcare costs,” Strong said.
“I’m talking about jumping from
$11 million to $25 million to cover
county employees.”
The county was also concerned
about absenteeism, and many
employees lacked a primary
care physician.
For expertise, Strong turned to
Huntsville Hospital Health Systems.
Motivated by similar concerns, the
hospital had established its own
in-house medical clinic for employees
in 1998 with positive results.
This led to the creation of the
Local Government Employee Health
Clinic, a partnership of Madison
County, Huntsville Utilities and
Huntsville Hospital Health Systems.
The clinic, conveniently located
a couple miles from downtown, is
under the same roof as a pharmacy
and several other medical services.
Total Clinic Visits
3,643
3,095
1,861
2014
2015
2016
© shironosov - iStock
Total clinic visits have increased
every year. Visits numbered 1,861
in 2014, the clinic’s first year of
operation. Usage increased 66 percent
in 2015, and with the continued
growth in 2016, total visits came in at
3,643 for the year, almost double the
first-year figures.
Dr. Joe Sharp serves as medical
director with a total staff of five.
Operating expenses are divided on a
pro rata basis between the county and
Huntsville Utilities.
One incentive for county
employees and their families to use
the clinic is a reduced copay. They can
see the doctor for $15 as compared to
$35-40 per visit for other providers.
Sharp says one of the biggest
benefits for employees is that
the clinic works as a reliable and
expedited entry point to specialists.
“You can get lost in the medical
system,” he said, recounting one
patient who came in the clinic with
chest pains and arm pain. Before the
day was out, he had a cardiologist
and a stent in his heart, opening a 90
percent blockage.
Initially, most patients turned to
the clinic only for urgent care, but
more and more people are using it
Local Government Employee Health Clinic
• Open weekdays: 7pm - 5:25pm • Open to county employees, their
dependents over age 12 and retirees
• No appointment required
• Partnership of Madison County
• Copay only $15 per visit
Commission, Huntsville Hospital Health
Systems, and Huntsville Utilities
COUNTY COMMISSION | 19