Paid Sponsorship by OurHealth
By: Terry Layman, MD, Regional Medical Director at OurHealth
When fellow providers ask me why I practice at OurHealth, the answer is simple: Because it provides a patient-centered care experience.
For years I have practiced in a general hospital setting as well as a primary care clinic for a healthcare system in Indiana, and one frustration of mine was the increasing expectation to see more and more patients with less and less time. It was difficult to get anything accomplished for each patient.
I became a physician not to focus on throughput and creating value for a system or network, but to help patients. OurHealth’s employer-sponsored primary care model has certainly allowed me to practice medicine the way I think it should be practiced. It’s patient-centric and it removes the barriers of cost and convenience for patients.
How the OurHealth Model Works
Self-insured or self-funded employers have a vested interest in reducing their healthcare costs. Many of these employers are also altruistically committed to providing their employees and their families with a valuable benefit. These employers then partner with OurHealth to provide their employees and their families with unlimited access to little- to no-cost primary care. This care is provided in a clinic setting, usually via a network of near-site clinic locations, and are paid-in-full by the employer in the form of a fixed per-member fee.
Why the OurHealth Model Works
Physicians and providers get at least 20-40 minutes with each patient for each appointment, creating the opportunity to build a rapport and establish a relationship. Because the service has already been paid for by the employer, patients can return for multiple visits and make progress toward longer-term health goals. For physicians and providers, the employer-sponsored aspect also means less time needed for paperwork, and more time for creating personalized wellness for patients.
The patient clearly wins because they get more convenient, affordable healthcare; the employer wins because they benefit from reduced healthcare costs, including mitigating the financial impact of chronic disease, redirecting care into a more cost-controlled setting, and leveraging efficiencies on costs like labs and medications; and physicians and providers win because they get to spend more time with patients and create relationships that improve health outcomes. An added benefit for providers are steadier work hours and a better work-life balance. I think it’s a true solution to much of what has become problematic in healthcare today.
Before I met Jeff Wells, MD, co-founder and president of OurHealth, I felt like independent practices or hospital-owned practices were the only two options available. But after he showed me how the model gets results, and after six years of practicing with OurHealth, I have to say that it’s clear that this approach works.
I am excited that we will soon be bringing this simplified model of healthcare to Cincinnati, OH, and we are actively seeking physicians and providers who want to practice differently. It’s not for everybody, but if you’re a physician or advanced-care provider who views healthcare from a holistic standpoint, who is truly patient-centered, who wants to engage with patients and build true relationships, and who is unafraid of change, we’re looking for you.
If you’re interested, I invite you to join me at Jeff Ruby’s Precinct on Wednesday, August 22, at 6 p.m. for a complimentary dinner and conversation. Join Dr. Wells and I as we share more details and answer any questions about how the OurHealth clinic model works.
For more information, please contact Ashley Billman or call 317.522.1265. We also invite you to learn more on our website.