KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) — The city of Kingsport is opening a health clinic for its 725 employees.
The facility will allow employees and their dependents to see a doctor or a nurse for general health care needs with no co-pay. City officials believe the clinic will improve wellness and help the city save about $200,000 a year in health care costs.
The Kingsport Times-News (http://bit.ly/W0REJP) reports the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted last week to contract with Brentwood-based CareHere to manage the clinic.
Alderman Mike McIntire said that about 20 percent of employees don't have a primary care provider and instead go to urgent care facilities or the emergency room when they are sick. Both those options are expensive.
McIntire said model has been worked in cities like Knoxville, Chattanooga and Morristown.
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Information from: Kingsport Times-News, http://www.timesnews.net
