Health Access - Private clinic offers health care alternative

Private clinic offers health care alternative
UCD alumnus hopes to alleviate ER overcrowding
By Nadine Elsibai / Aggie News Writer

Friday, April 29, 2005

Affordability and accessibility, two terms not often associated with health care today, are the main objectives at Davis’ recently opened Wellness Express Clinic.

Located in Longs Drugs at 1550 E. Covell Blvd., the clinic aims to provide an alternative to overcrowded emergency rooms and urgent-care facilities. Services for common ailments, minor injuries and routine medical screenings, including physical examinations and diagnostic tests, are available.

People are seen on a walk-in basis with a typical visit lasting 15 minutes, depending on the services requested. On-site, licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide care and write prescriptions if needed. Physicians are accessible for consultation by phone. A typical medical visit costs $54 and physical exams are $38.

“We have an opportunity to really address and help solve some of health care’s problems today,” said Dr. Wesley Chan, company president and UC Davis alumnus. “We anticipate a lot of uninsured people will want to use the service, rather than pay hundreds of dollars in the emergency room.”

Because the clinic is not meant to replace primary-care physicians, a note of what occurred is made afterward so the person’s regular doctor is updated and able to continue care, Chan said. The clinic is open extended hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Since people go to pharmacies to fill prescriptions anyway, Chan said that operating within a drugstore made sense as patients might need to visit a pharmacy after their appointment.

About 20,000 Yolo County residents are uninsured, representing 11 percent of the population, according to Bette Hinton, Yolo County health officer and director of health.

“This is endemic of a healthcare system that is deteriorating as more and more people are finding themselves uninsured or underinsured,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a nonprofit organization that advocates affordable health care. “Unless there is some action at the state or federal level, then nothing will change.”

Hinton paralleled the growing number of uninsured locally to a statewide increase that resulted from rising insurance premium costs, fewer employers providing benefit packages and fewer people who can afford to buy their own coverage.

According to Wright, there is currently a conversation at the state level about trying to expand health care. The state legislature is considering options that would cover all children, provide universal health care, or require employers to provide insurance.

The clinic’s concept is not new to the United States, as similar stores are already open on the East Coast. However, Chan said Wellness Express is the first of its kind in California.

Davis became the choice location for the inaugural clinic due to its ideal demographics of a large student population and a large number of young families. He also cited the town’s progressive and innovative nature.

Any individual can receive care at the clinic since it operates as an independent corporation, and no membership fees or dues are required. Insurance companies are not billed directly, but Chan said that patients with coverage can receive documentation to obtain reimbursement. Cash, credit card and check are all accepted.

The staff at Wellness Express is trained to refer patients who require care beyond the clinic’s capability or for follow-up needs to local physicians, specialists or other facilities.

Chan graduated from UCD with a degree in genetics in 1988, after which he went to medical school, and then returned to do his internship training at the UCD Medical Center. During his time in the emergency room, Chan noticed that many people were seen for “non- or semi-urgent” situations, leading to overcrowding in ERs throughout the state. This inspired Chan to create the clinic, allowing a faster turnaround for patients who sometimes have long waits for non-critical medical appointments.

At UCD, if a student does not already have access to private insurance, health coverage is required through the Student Health Insurance Plan at Cowell Student Health Center.

Susan Takahashi, director of administrative services at the center, said about 42 percent of undergraduates and 80 percent of graduate students are enrolled in SHIP. While the graduate percentage remains relatively constant, the number of undergraduates on the plan has slowly risen. Same-day appointments can be made, but the usual wait time is three to five days. The cost is $10 for a regular appointment and $15 for urgent care.

After graduating, students can stay on the plan for another quarter before they must find their own.

For now, representatives from the clinic are trying to publicize their provided services.

“One big challenge is getting the word out and consumer education,” Chan said. “People need to know they have an alternative for these types of problems. They can go in and get treated by highly trained professionals.”

Two more clinics will open in the next month, in Sonoma and Salinas. For more information, visit wellnessexpressclinic.com.