Springfield plans health clinic for city employees

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Officials in Springfield are reviewing proposals for a health clinic to serve employees, retirees and family members covered by the city's insurance plan.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports (http://bit.ly/29SFhtI) the clinic would offer physicals, vaccines and other care such as treatment for minor illnesses. Incentives such as no co-pays or shorter wait times will attract employees to use the clinic instead of other providers.

The clinic would be near the downtown municipal buildings and could open as soon as March 1, 2017.

Bill McCarty is director of management and budget for the city. He tells the newspaper the clinic could save Springfield $500,000 annually.

Springfield is self-insured. It budgeted about $31 million for employee health insurance for fiscal year 2015-2016, up from $22.7 million three years ago.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com