SOUTH BEND — In its first year, South Bend Community School Corp.’s health and wellness clinic for employees and their covered dependents has already saved the district money.
Curt Novotny, executive director of human resources for South Bend schools, told the school board at its Monday meeting that paid medical and prescription claims are down by $981,000 compared with the same time last year.
And after the costs to run the clinic have been tallied, along with the wellness incentives paid to employees, Novotny said, overall health plan costs are down $1.6 million from the sum that was anticipated.
Board member Bill Sniadecki pointed out many fewer employees are insured now than in 2012-13.
Novotny said, “We lost 22 percent of employees on the plan when the cost of the plan (previously) went up.” But on Tuesday, Novotny said the shrunken pool of insureds is not responsible for these savings.
The health and wellness center saves the district money, he said, in a variety of ways, including by helping employees become healthier.
Comprehensive physical exams and health coaching, he said, ultimately lead to a better understanding of one’s health conditions and the treatment required.
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