Better Solutions

When it comes to caring for rural communities, we know what works. We’ve demonstrated savings with our accountable care organization—so much so that the federal government split the savings generated with us, which in turn supports the communities we serve.

In Dare County, a partnership between the county, The Outer Banks Hospital (OBH), Vidant Health and MedCost resulted in the creation of the Dare County Employee Wellness Program. 

The program, which had more than 630 participants in 2017-18, had a quantitative impact on the Dare County employee population. Preventative screenings like mammograms and colonoscopy screenings saw 11 and three percent increases, respectively, while preventative office visits went up by five percent. There also was a 10 percent reduction in avoidable emergency room encounters as well as a five percent reduction in inpatient medical admissions.

“We don’t invest in our community to make a profit,” said Ronnie Sloan, president, OBH. “We invest in our community because it’s the right thing to do. We recognize that and Dare County recognizes that as well. Together, we are making great things happen.”

Learn more: How an important partnership is improving the health of County of Dare Employees

And in the city of Greenville, an employee health clinic operated by Vidant helped save more than $140,000 in health care costs—after just one year in operation.

This partnership offers employees and families quality health care with no co-pays, which helps encourage people to seek care for minor illnesses before they become more costly problems.