TASBO special contributor Judy Marchman documented Mansfield ISD's health clinic in the August edition of the TASBO Report. Here is the story:
In February 2014, the Mansfield
ISD Staff Clinic at Methodist Family
Health Center in Mansfield opened its
doors—metaphorically, at least. The
clinic has its own space at the health
center where eligible district employees
can come and receive low-cost
health care. The clinic came about from a desire
by district leadership to provide a
low-cost alternative for health care
services to staff.
“Our board of trustees was behind the
effort,” said Jennifer Stoecker, Human
Resources Director at Mansfield ISD
and the district’s liaison to the clinic.
The district worked with longtime
community partner, Methodist Mansfield
Medical Center, to make the
clinic a reality. “We approached them and they were
happy to assist,” Stoecker said. The
district works with MedHealth, a Texas
not-for-profit health corporation
associated with Methodist Mansfield,
in operating the clinic.
All full-time district employees are
eligible to use the clinic upon enrollment,
as well as their spouses and
dependent children. Non-eligible employees
include substitutes, contracted
services, tutors, or on-call workers.
As part of Methodist Family Health
Center, which is centrally located to
most of the district’s campuses, the
clinic has a dedicated sign-in area
at the center and is staffed by three
Methodist employees—a physician’s
assistant, who works under the direction
of a Methodist physician in the
same facility; a medical assistant; and
a patient representative. It serves primarily
acute conditions, such as sore
throats, muscle sprains, nausea, etc.,
that need immediate attention, and
is not intended to replace employees’
primary care physicians (PCP). The
district has a chart on its website to
help employees determine when the
clinic is the best option and when
they should visit the ER or their PCP.
But for busy employees who can’t afford
to get to a doctor during the day,
having access to the clinic enables
them to reduce the amount of time
away from work.
“Not only is it just a great service in
general, but it also helps reduce absenteeism
in staff and in their children,”
Stoecker said.
The clinic is open from noon to 7:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, which
allows staff to go after-hours or take
their children after-hours so they
don’t have to miss school.
“If the student is not contagious, they
can be back at school the next day,
without having to miss a day,” she
added.
Another major benefit to the clinic is
the low-cost aspect. Each visit is just
a $10 copay, regardless of the medical
need. It doesn’t matter whether
the employee has insurance or not.
(District employees can elect not to
sign up for the district’s insurance
coverage.)
As the district’s liaison to the clinic,
Stoecker is the go-to person for any
questions staff may have. “It is going smoothly and the staff love
it,” said Stoecker. “The feedback we’ve
received has been overwhelmingly
positive. Everyone is so appreciative
of the service.”
And the numbers bear out the necessity
of the service. From last September
to this May, more than 3,400
patients were seen at the staff clinic.
“I’m thankful we are able to provide
this service for our employees,” she
added. “And I’m thankful to the board
for its commitment to the clinic and
for allowing us to continue this partnership
with Methodist Mansfield.”