New health care model debuts in Fort Dodge
Memberships, not fees for service, are at the heart of Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care
-Messenger photos by Bill Shea <BR> Dr. Dan Fick, chief medical officer and president of Hy-Vee Health, speaks Tuesday during an event to mark the debut of the Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care Clinic in Fort Dodge.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> An examination table and a desk are both found in the office of Britta Reimann, the nurse practitioner who is the primary care provider at the new Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care clinic in Fort Dodge.
-Messenger photos by Bill Shea <BR> Dr. Dan Fick, chief medical officer and president of Hy-Vee Health, speaks Tuesday during an event to mark the debut of the Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care Clinic in Fort Dodge.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <BR> An examination table and a desk are both found in the office of Britta Reimann, the nurse practitioner who is the primary care provider at the new Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care clinic in Fort Dodge.
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A new clinic that charges a monthly membership fee rather than billing for each individual service a patient receives has debuted in Fort Dodge.
Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care opened Tuesday at 2921 Fifth Ave. S.
"We're always available," said Dr. Dan Fick, chief medical officer and president of Hy-Vee Health. "We have great health care providers."
He said going to the new clinic will be "very different" from going to a traditional clinic or doctor's office that charges fees for individual services.
Under the business model of Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care, a business pays monthly memberships for its employees to get care. Individual memberships are also available.
In return, the patients can go to the clinic with the expectation of having at least a half hour appointment with their primary care provider. Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care pledges to get patients in to see their provider the same day they call for an appointment
There are no copays or bills after an appointment, company representatives say.
If needed, they can get a prescription from the 100 generic drugs that are kept at the clinic. They can also get medical supplies, such as crutches.
Fick said the membership model offers "easy access and great customer service" for patients.
He said there are 17 such clinics in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. He added that Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care is looking to expand into Illinois.
He added that the clinic was established in Fort Dodge because "we go where the businesses are."
"We have several businesses in town that have signaled their intention to use our services for their employees," he said.
The local clinic has a staff of three, with nurse practitioner Britta Reimann as the primary care provider. There is also a nurse and a receptionist.
The site's hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Telehealth services will be available after hours.
The clinic is in what used to be a Mattress Firm store.
The debut of the clinic was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday conducted by the Ambassadors of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.