The building directly across the street from the Lycoming County Courthouse is 33 West Third Street. Owned by the county for the past couple of decades, it has largely served as a rental property, but over time the tenants have moved out, and this has opened up the possibilities for the county to house services such as the Sheriff’s Department and Voter Services in this location. But it has also opened up a new and very innovative option that is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is called the Partnership Health Center, contracted through the New Jersey-based Integrity Health Program. Officially opened three weeks ago, it is a complete primary health center for Lycoming County employees and their family members, and also county employee retirees.
And using the word “complete” is not an exaggeration. Staffed by a physician and two nurse practitioners, as well as other health professionals, it is a one-stop shop of medical treatment providing primary care, urgent care, behavioral and emotional health, x-ray, blood work/labs, physical therapy, exams, and more. Ever have a bug and wonder if it might be the start of something serious? This facility can do Covid, strep, and flu testing and have a result in half an hour. Same-day appointments and, at least for now, almost no waiting times.
It is still not complete, as there will soon be a pharmacy and chiropractic treatment available as well, but the initial reaction from the county employees who have taken advantage of the facility is that it is everything that was advertised and more. In fact, a number of county employees have already changed their primary doctor to this new Partnership Health Center because of all the advantages they have discovered. Perhaps the best part is that there are no co-pays — all the treatment is at no cost to those who have county health insurance.
For several years now, the Lycoming County government has been making a comprehensive initiative to become a ‘first-choice’ employer for applicants. As noted in the November 23rd column entitled, “Help Wanted, and Help is On the Way,” the county has developed a new policy to align employee compensation with consideration of their education and experience. Though this is still in its inaugural stage, the initial feedback has been quite positive.
Yet, in this day and age, health care is probably the highest concern for an employee after salary. Unfortunately for county government, this has also been one of the most difficult challenges as health care costs have continually increased each year. In years past, it was not uncommon to hear the county commissioners lament in their end-of-meeting comments that “something had to be done” about health coverage because it was eating their budget alive. It became apparent that it would not be found in just another health plan, so they started looking for more innovative solutions, and this is what led them to Integrity Health in New Jersey.
Seven counties in New Jersey utilize Integrity Health, and this is what got the attention of Lycoming County. The availability of a location right across the street from the County Courthouse and Executive Plaza, where a majority of county employees work, was also a big advantage. Instead of having to take time off for a healthcare visit, it is now literally just around the corner.
Lycoming County is being watched by the other counties in Pennsylvania as everyone is struggling with rising medical benefit costs. It is rare in politics to be willing to be pioneers because the possibility of failure is high, and that impacts elections. Hats off to the Lycoming County commissioners for their willingness to make such a bold move and for Director of Administration Matt McDermott and the other employees who have been working diligently for many months to make this project work. Those looking for a career with a future should seriously consider the opportunities working for Lycoming County — it is getting better and better every day.
