Dwindling access to primary care in many rural areas of Maine means long drives or long waits to see a doctor. To tackle this, innovative solutions like direct primary care and workplace clinics are emerging.
Recently, LP Building Solutions, a wood siding manufacturer, joined forces with Premise Health to establish a primary care clinic for its 135 employees and their families. This move is part of a broader company effort to enhance on-site healthcare services across its U.S. locations.
Bob Nason, a mechanical supervisor at the New Limerick plant, sees this clinic as a game-changer. He notes that many people delay medical check-ups due to the lengthy process of finding a doctor or booking an appointment. The new clinic offers immediate access to care, reducing this burden significantly.
Traditionally, on-site nurses have managed work-related injuries and health exams. However, full-service primary care clinics, like the one at LP Building Solutions, are relatively new. Companies like IDEXX and L.L.Bean have also partnered with InterMed, a physician group in Maine, to create similar workplace clinics.
On-site clinics can be invaluable, especially for employees with chronic conditions. According to the National Institutes of Health, these clinics improve medication adherence and overall health in areas with limited healthcare access.
The New Limerick clinic is LP’s twelfth location. “It reflects our people-first approach,” says Plant Manager Andrew Savage. The clinic offers same or next-day appointments for various health needs, including lab testing and telehealth services.
Employees with company health insurance can access the clinic for free, and others pay a $50 flat fee for services, which include lab work. The clinic is conveniently located across from the main plant, and like a typical doctor’s office, patients can schedule different types of appointments.
The clinic’s lab can perform rapid tests for flu, COVID-19, and strep, providing immediate results. Other lab work is sent through FedEx for analysis.
Each LP clinic is overseen by licensed physicians, who provide remote care using advanced technology. At New Limerick, nurses like Brandy Briner work with remote physicians who can diagnose patients using digital monitoring tools. This technology allows the medical team to perform thorough examinations, no matter where the physician is located.
Since opening on March 31, the clinic has seen a steady flow of patients. Nason plans to utilize this benefit frequently. “It shows how much LP values its employees. I’ve been here 26 years, and this just enhances that feeling,” he shared.
This trend of workplace clinics signals a shift in healthcare delivery, especially in rural regions, as companies seek to provide better options for their employees. With the ongoing challenges of accessing primary care, such services could be essential in improving overall health and well-being in underserved communities.
For more insights on workplace healthcare solutions, you can check this National Institutes of Health report.
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