Healthier Workplaces

I recently started participating in the Harvard Pilgrim LinkedIn Group Let's Talk Health Care where the discussion brings in health care professionals, business owners, employees and others who are concerned with a healthy lifestyle at home and work. This blog will expand on some of the issues raised in the group.

For example, you may have heard about concierge physicians. They charge a membership to patients, and in return keep their practice limited to those patients. The result is that each patient receives more personalized attention.

Now what if a company (or group of companies) offered their employees access to a concierge physician? Decades ago, many companies had a nurse or doctor on staff. Might we return to those days? The concept would be similar to the discounts many companies now offer at gyms and health clubs.

Concierge medical care right at a company might encourage employees to take better care of their health; might prevent long-term effects from workplace accidents; might discourage employees from reporting to work sick, stopping the spread of illnesses throughout the building; and might enable employees to get more value from their health plans.

What do you think?

Harvard Pilgrim is compensating the author for participating in the Let's Talk Health Care program but the opinions expressed are the author's own.