Taking (Healthcare) Matters into your own Hands

Some companies are taking the healthcare of their employees into their own hands. One is Bremen Castings, a foundry and machine shop in northern Indiana that I plan to visit next week and profile in an article for our May issue.

Company president JB Brown explains that his company opened an on-site wellness center for employees so they will always have access to affordable healthcare. “At a time when more businesses than ever before are looking for ways to cut back on healthcare services to control costs, we have decided to put that service at the forefront for our employees,” he says. “In addition, our facility is cash-free, meaning that employees and dependents can receive free generic prescriptions and care.” (What’s also noteworthy is that the company reached a huge safety milestone this month by going over 1 million man hours without a lost-time accident.)

Similarly, Sunnen, manufacturer of precision honing equipment, established an on-site facility in 2006 as highlighted in this recent St. Louis Today article. According to the company, in addition to its other wellness programs, this has been a factor in keeping costs level and allowing the company to decrease the employee share of co-pays for specialist visits and urgent care.

Email me if this is something you’ve considered for your business.