Even as the company was busy debuting a dozen of its low-cost, convenience-oriented medical clinics in Hy-Vee stores across the Midwest last year, Curaquick executives were finding new ways to save people money.
The Sioux City-based company has been partnering with area public and private entities that provide their own insurance to give their employees another option for medical care, said Russ Frazier, Curaquick Clinics" chief operating officer.
One of its biggest customers now is the Sioux City Community School District, he said, whose 1,800 employees can pay an $8 co-pay and their insurance plan will be billed for the balance of the $35 visit.
"We looked at the program and didn"t hesitate. It provides a great cost savings to the customer and the plan," said Mary O"Hern, safety, benefits and insurance manager for the district. "It also saves taxpayers money if our employees choose to use it."
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South Sioux City city employees also have access to a similar plan as well as other area businesses and schools like Western Iowa Tech Community College, Frazier said.
"There are so many unpredictable costs when it comes to health care," he said. "Here, you know what your cost will be and you may be more apt to come in to be treated for a cold or flu if you know you can get in and out quickly ... that can keep more illness out of the workplace."
Small business owners who cannot afford insurance for their employees can find a way to help them with Curaquick"s new gift cards, Frazier said. The cards can be loaded with a set amount of money that will be used toward each visit, giving businesses the surety of having fixed health care costs.
"It"s a problem we don"t talk about a lot, that many people don"t have access to affordable health care. This partially addresses that problem," he said. "Employers can also recover costs if an employee quits by shutting off the gift card."
Parents of college students have also bought Curaquick gift cards to give to their children to make sure they have money to be treated when they need it, Frazier said.
Another big development for the clinics last year was partnering with Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls where a clinic will be opened at a Hy-Vee in March, he said. Both logos are seen at the Curaquick clinic, he said, and patients who need further care are referred to the hospital.
"There is a big gap between where health care starts and what consumers need," Frazier said. "From our standpoint, partnering with hospitals is becoming that continuum of care that people need to stay healthy."
Curaquick hasn"t approached either Sioux City hospital for partnership yet, he said, as it is still exploring how well the strategy works for them in Sioux Falls.
The clinics, offering extended weekday and weekend hours for patients on the go, are staffed by nurse practitioners or physician"s assistants who consult with physicians. No appointments are taken n visits usually take no longer than 20 minutes from start to finish, Frazier said.
Most are located just steps away from a pharmacy where patients can conveniently fill prescriptions or pick up over-the-counter remedies. A visit costs $35, regardless of the malady treated. Lab tests and vaccinations are extra.
The Curaquick clinics accept cash or credit cards, but not health insurance. Patients are given a receipt which they can submit to their insurer or flexible spending plan.
Last year, Dr. Dan Burrow, a Sioux Falls psychologist, and Russ Frazier, formerly executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, developed a business model for what would become Curaquick. They approached Daniels, former president and chief executive of St. Luke"s Regional Medical Center, about heading the new venture. The fourth partner is Dr. Craig Bainbridge, Sioux City physician who also serves as Curaquick"s medical director.
Curaquick is not alone in bringing health care to supermarkets, drug stores and discount chains. Retail Clinician, a new publication that follows the in-store health clinic industry, expects the number of retail-based clinics to grow to more than 1,500 nationwide by next year.
Wal-Mart and Walgreens are among the national chains that have opened in-store clinics. An Ohio-based firm wants to sell franchise locations.
In the coming year, Frazier said Curaquick hopes to open another 25 to 30 new clinics in grocery stores and other locations in major metro areas across the Midwest, primarily with Hy-Vee.
"We would eventually like to move to smaller communities in the area, as well," he said.
Clinic care
Curaquick practitioners treat minor complaints such as allergies, coughs, ear infections, strep throat, sprained joints and rashes. The clinics also offer flu, pneumonia, tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations and testing for strep and urinary tract infections.
Back-to-school and sports physicals and physicals required by the Department of Transportation are available for the $35 fee. The clinics also offer tuberculosis tests, as well as testing levels of glucose and hemoglobin, which are sometimes required by many employers, day care centers, schools and Head Start programs.
Curaquick metro locations:
Hy-Vee at Marketplace Shopping Centre, 3301 Gordon Drive
Hy-Vee at Gordon Plaza, 4500 Sergeant Road
Hy-Vee at Southern Hills Mall, 2501 Cornhusker Drive
Hy-Vee at Cornhusker Plaza in South Sioux City
The four Sioux City clinics are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Other locations:
Columbus, Neb.
Iowa City, Iowa
Oregon, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Opening soon:
Sioux Falls
Curaquick practitioners treat minor complaints such as allergies, coughs, ear infections, strep throat, sprained joints and rashes. The clinics also offer flu, pneumonia, tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations and testing for strep and urinary tract infections.
Back-to-school and sports physicals and physicals required by the Department of Transportation are available for the $35 fee. The clinics also offer tuberculosis tests, as well as testing levels of glucose and hemoglobin, which are sometimes required by many employers, day care centers, schools and Head Start programs.
