Editor’s Note: The Indian River School Board has received harsh criticism from some for moving forward to establish an employee health clinic. If the savings the Pasco County School Board has gained from its four health clinics is any indication of the potential for such clinics, the Indian River County School Board may be on the right track.
LISA BULE/TAMPA BAY TIMES
LAND O’LAKES — Four school-based clinics have saved the Pasco County School District so much in health care costs since they opened in 2011 that officials want to expand the program.
“We think there’s some pent-up demand,” said Kevin Shibley the district’s executive director for administration.
School Board members learned Tuesday at a workshop that the four clinics, in Land O’Lakes, Dade City, New Port Richey and Hudson, have saved the district $9.2 million over the past three years. Annual claims filed with the district’s insurance carrier, Florida Blue, also have decreased from 186,000 before the clinics opened to 137,649 this past year. Employees have also saved a total of $2.7 million on health care. MORE…
Indian River Guardian 
I studied the request for proposal when the Indian River School District considered the health clinics for our school employees and their families. It was unfortunately the weakest RFP that I have ever read in decades of reading government RFPs. It was particulary disturbing that there was no mention of how routine tests would be independently analyzed by an organization experienced in doing medical test analysis. Nor was there a comprehensive listing of the kinds of medical tests that would be done at the facility. For example, urine analysis is routine in most medical visits. This procedure, however, was not identified in the RFP.
There is indeed a potential to possibly save on health claims. However, that is only realized if other factors are taken into consideration. For example, in Indian River County’s proposal it would have required remodeling of a facility.
Also, all too often those who analyze pros and cons about a contract fail to factor in the employee time in contract management. No organization should select a contractor without some fact-finding by interviewing those who have first hand experience. The School District was considering using the same provider that St. Lucie County had used yet the Indian River School District managers were not aware of the negative comments concerning the “bedside manner” of the physician and hygiene problems at the facility.
The most disappointing aspect of the proposal was that the School District did not have the benefit of obtaining the feedback from affected employees. I may be old fashioned but I always get a reference from a friend who has had actual experience with a physician that I am considering to provide me health care.