Robertson Co. built a free clinic for all government employees, but here’s why it’s mostly for bus drivers

Another Middle Tennessee school district has opened a free clinic for all employees. Government workers in Robertson County can now use a walk-in clinic, built in cooperation with the city of Springfield, at no charge.

But the clinic at 900 South Brown St. started mostly as a recruiting effort.

“What prompted this for us, initially, was wanting something for our bus drivers,” says Jim Bellis, spokesperson for Robertson County Schools.

The school bus driver shortage remains very real. And in Robertson County, they don’t work enough hours to be covered by the county’s health plan. But Bellis says those who work more than 25 hours will be able to use this free clinic, including for their mandatory Department of Transportation physical.

The clinic is staffed by a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant who can provide chronic disease management for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and allergies. They also offer breast and colon cancer screenings. And many commonly prescribed generic medications are kept in stock and given out for free.

There are all sorts of arguments for large employers to offer care on-site and at no cost. It’s pitched as a recruitment tool and a way to reduce downtime and improve productivity. Some investor-owned health care companies in Nashville have made an entire business out of workplace clinics since they can also reduce costs for the employer. Premise Health claims their clinics can save employers 29% on covering employees and their families.

Medical Analysis, the Mississippi-based company that has a contract to run the Robertson County clinic, also manages a clinic for the Lebanon Special School District. President Todd Garlington says they can generate “pretty significant savings” for large employers that are self-insured.

“Our goal is to eliminate as many claims as possible,” he says.

Garlington says the Robertson County clinic has gotten a good start since its launch Aug. 1, with 14 patients seen on the first day. The one challenge, he says, is convincing people there’s no catch and no cost.