EFCO opens on-site employee medical clinic

The clinic is located in a remodeled building on the company’s Monett campus; remodeling costs were about $10,000, according to spokeswoman Rachel Rodgers.

Open five days a week, the clinic employs two CoxHealth employees – a nurse and a nurse practitioner – and offers care for basic ailments and health screenings, and in the future could offer physical exams, preventative services, vaccinations, prescriptions, X-rays, blood tests and physical therapy. Employees and their dependents covered by EFCO’s medical plan are eligible to visit the clinic.

Co-payments are $15, compared to $25 at outside clinics under EFCO’s plan.

The response so far from employees has been positive, Rodgers said.

“Mainly it’s just a convenience thing right now – it’s easy to get to, they have to take less time off of work, it’s just kind of an in-and-out deal,” Rodgers said. “We’re hoping in the long run we’ll see a benefit as far as health costs,” she added, noting access to preventative care could lower trips to an emergency room.

EFCO also expects the clinic will be an attractive benefit for prospective employees, Rodgers said.

Terms of the agreement with CoxHealth were not immediately available.

EFCO has about 1,600 local employees. The company manufactures architectural aluminum windows, curtain wall and storefront and entrance systems for commercial architectural applications.

EFCO is not the first company in the region to offer medical services to its employees. Silver Dollar City Attractions in Branson last week opened an on-site clinic, Mary’s Well House, for its approximately 2,300 workers.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. also last week announced a similar plan to contract with local hospitals and other organizations to open health clinics in as many as 400 of its stores in the next two or three years, though there are no immediate plans to do so in Missouri.