Schools’ clinic to open Sept. 5 [South Bend Tribune, Ind.]

July 23--SOUTH BEND -- South Bend Community School Corp. employees and their spouses and dependents covered by the district's health insurance -- except kids 3 and younger -- will have full access to a free health clinic beginning Sept. 5.

The "Activate Health and Wellness Center, " run by Activate Healthcare, will be located at 611 Lincolnway E. in South Bend.

Curt Novotny, executive director of human resources for the school corporation, told the school board on Monday that two married physicians, Rina Patel, M.D. and Akxay Patel, D.O., have been hired to staff the clinic.

An array of primary care services, from physical exams and disease management to wellness-related services to care for acute illnesses, such as sore throats and influenza, will be available at no cost.

Additionally, certain laboratory services, prescription medications and immunizations will be provided for free.

The premise driving the district, which is self-insured, to establish the wellness center is a simple one: Healthier employees generally incur fewer expensive medical claims.

In the future, school officials have said, some of the health care savings realized by having a clinic could be passed along to employees via lower premiums or incentives for participating in wellness activities.

The facility will initially be open five days a week with varied hours ranging from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition to the two physicians, it'll be staffed by nurse practitioners, medical assistants and a wellness coach.

Novotny has said the district does not have suitable space for an on-site clinic, so officials looked for locales near both the school corporation's buildings and employees' homes.

Because of a savings-sharing plan the district struck with Activate, there will be no up-front costs to get the clinic going.

The school district will pay about $26 per month to Activate for each employee and covered dependent.

Children 3 and younger will not be served at the clinic, Novotny said, because it's believed they should see pediatricians.

The clinic's phones will be operational Aug. 5, with acute care services becoming available during the week of Aug. 19.

On Sept. 5, the clinic will be fully operational.

Board Vice President Jay Caponigro said the center's opening "can't come fast enough."

Novotny added, it's "completely confidential and professional. Just like any other doctor's visit."

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