Workplace Clinics Are Expanding Focus Beyond Injuries, Preventive Care

A Kaiser Health News report explains the shift in employers' offerings at workplace clinics. On-site workplace clinics used to be primarily focused on patching up people who got injured on the job. Then companies added primary care and started emphasizing preventive screenings and other "wellness" services. Now, some big employers are beefing up their clinic offerings further with a host of add-ons, including physical therapy, dental and vision exams, mental health counseling and even acupuncture and massage.

In 2011, 31 percent of employers with 500 or more workers had on-site clinics, and another 9 percent said they were considering them, according to the annual survey of employer health plans by human resources consultant Mercer.

The new services may not always improve a company's bottom line. But they're a convenient perk for busy employees and can help maintain employee productivity by reducing absences. In addition, in competitive industries such as technology and financial services, such benefits can help retain employees and attract new ones, experts say.