Workplace health centers fill gaps for employees both during and post pandemic

Last year, while the pandemic shuttered offices nationwide, one workplace wellness site may have thrived: on-site health clinics.

Early in the pandemic, clinics struggled to adjust like everything else. But as the need for primary care, mental-health support, and testing became apparent, some organizations chose to increase their services.

A March 2020 survey conducted by the National Association of Worksite Health Centers and Mercer sought to establish how the pandemic impacted third-party clinic vendors and health providers. More than half the respondents’ indicated their served workforces were now remote, while a quarter remained primarily on-site. In addition, 57% of clinics planned to expand into telemedicine to serve employees even after the pandemic was over. “It was a major transition going from 80/20 in-person to 20/80 in-person,” says NAWHC executive director Larry Boress.

Before the pandemic, clinics typically conducted preventative screenings, handled prescription refills and offered physical therapy. During the pandemic, that shifted to COVID-19 screenings (85%), and testing (55%). Almost half the clinics surveyed offered mental health and behavioral health services.