Marathon Health partnership with seven St. Louis union locals is reshaping healthcare access here

Everside Health merged with Marathon Health earlier this year and became one of the country’s largest providers of advanced primary care services. The new organization adopted the Marathon Health name, and with more than 80 union locals participating, it is the leading provider of advanced primary care dedicated to serving Taft-Hartley plans.

The partnership between Marathon Health and seven St. Louis union locals is reshaping healthcare access and outcomes for thousands of union members and their families. By establishing dedicated primary care centers designed specifically for union members, Marathon Health is addressing the unique health needs of the building trades with convenient, no-cost care. This innovative model is proving to be a win-win for both the unions and their members, resulting in improved health, reduced healthcare expenses, and improved member well-being.

Union locals have access to health centers in Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Farmington, Florissant, St. Louis, St. Peters, and Washington, and in Fairview Heights, Ill.

PARTICIPATING UNION LOCALS
Participating locals in the health center network to date include:

• Cement Masons Local 527
• Glaziers Local 513
• Heat and Frost Insulators Local 1
• Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 513
• Laborers Local 42
• Laborers Local 110
• Plasterers Local 3

Among the popular features that have contributed to the growing popularity of health centers are:

• Eight locations that make it easy to access care.
• Same-day or next-day appointments, and no long waits in the lobby.
• Dedicated doctors and advanced practice providers who understand the work environments of the building trades.
• Proactive care that prevents or manages chronic conditions.
• Labs that are drawn and prescriptions that are dispensed on-site.
• No co-pays or deductibles to satisfy. Members pay $0.
• Virtual appointments are available with a member’s own provider.

MEMBERS HAVE BENEFITTED
Gary Payeur, business manager of Insulators and Allied Workers Local 1, is adamant in his belief that his members and their families have benefitted.

“Anybody that does not look at this is crazy. Participation is better than what was projected, and I have not received a complaint in the three years that our members have had access to the health center network. One of my members needed to be seen by their doctor and called the center after it had closed. The doctor was notified on their drive home and turned around and came back to care for the member! If it sounds too good to be true, come and look.”

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
Brandon Flinn, business manager of the Missouri and Kansas Laborers’ District Council and business manager of Laborers Local 42, describes his members’ experience as very positive as well.

“We are really pleased with the partnership and the quality of care is fantastic. I can speak from first-hand experience because I receive care at the St. Peters center myself. Appointments can be made the same day or the next day and you do not wait to be seen. We are in our second year, we have had climbing participation every month, and we are already realizing a positive return on investment.”

The Laborers appreciate that Marathon is “extremely easy to work with” and continues to offer different ways of better serving its members, Flynn said. D.O.T. physicals were initially provided in the centers and most recently Asbestos physicals, which feature pulmonary function tests, were added to meet the needs of Laborers who work in the environmental industry.

The Laborers’ Fund, which includes Locals 42 and 110, meets monthly with the Marathon representatives and reviews performance metrics like participation, patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and financial performance. It also serves as an opportunity to explore enhancements to the health center network, such as new services or adjusted hours to better serve the membership.

WISH LIST
Participating unions do have a wish list of expanded services and benefits they would like to see made available in the network. The list includes adding a location in the city of St. Louis where care could be available closer to worksites. Expanded mental health care, chiropractic, physical therapy, Saturday hours in some locations, and imaging are other areas that leaders say would benefit members and add value to the services currently provided.

For some participating locals, figuring out how to provide access to retirees is another consideration.

EASY, TIMELY ACCESS TO GREAT CARE
Angelo Lancia, of Lancia Consulting, recognized from the beginning the value that health center membership could bring to his union clients and has been a leading advocate for the building trades participation in the Greater St. Louis network.

“When I was approached by Everside Health, now Marathon Health, to share their mission for union members, I agreed immediately. As a father to seven children, I understand the importance of health care for our families. Marathon offers easy, timely access to care from quality doctors and providers willing to spend time with our patients at no cost to the members.”

Adam Hancock, Marathon’s field marketing specialist in St. Louis, whose primary role is to increase engagement in the health centers, meets regularly with union leaders to drive participation.

“It’s important that this be a partnership between the health and welfare fund and union local, and Marathon Health. We can only be successful when we are working together to drive participation. The more members who utilize the centers, the more we can improve health outcomes that reduce healthcare costs for families and the fund. When people have a relationship with a medical provider who is dedicated to caring for them and their family, and who understands the trades, it engages them in taking charge of their health. Everybody wins when that happens.”