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How to Maximize Your Onsite Clinic During Open Enrollment

Written by CareATC | Jul 9, 2025 8:45:54 PM

If open enrollment season feels like hectic, disjointed and full of high stakes—you’re not alone. For HR leaders, it’s one of the busiest times of the year. But it’s also one of the biggest opportunities to showcase the value of your benefits package, especially your onsite clinic. 

Here’s how to put it front and center during open enrollment, increase employee awareness, and get the engagement your wellness program deserves. 

Lead with What Employees Actually Want

Despite what you might think, It's not always free gym memberships or fancy apps. Most employees want healthcare that is easy to access, affordable, and trustworthy. 

Many employees will say they value convenience in healthcare access above nearly all other factors. Onsite clinics can provide that convenience and accessibility—but only if employees know they exist and understand how to use them. 

Tip: 

Include a “Benefits Highlight of the Week” email during open enrollment. Make the onsite clinic the featured benefit one week with a subject line like: "Did You Know You Can See a Provider Without Leaving Work?" 

Use Real Stories, Not Just Bullet Points

You could list “onsite clinic” in a brochure… or you could share that Amanda from Finance avoided an ER visit thanks to a quick clinic check-in. Guess which one is more effective? 

Stories build trust. They show how the clinic helps real people with real problems—no corporate jargon required. 

Tip: 

Ask your clinic team for anonymous patient wins (HIPAA-safe, of course). Create short testimonials or even a “Clinic Spotlight” social post series for your internal communications. 

Address the “Is It Really Confidential?” Question Head-On

It’s the elephant in the break room. Many employees worry their boss will know why they went to the clinic, especially for mental health or chronic condition management. This misunderstanding keeps people from using a benefit that could truly improve their quality of life. 

Reinforce that clinic visits are completely confidential and protected under HIPAA. 

Tip: 

Host a “Myth-Busting” lunch-and-learn or send a fun infographic titled “5 Things Your Boss Will Never Know About Your Clinic Visit” to demystify the experience. 

Make It Part of Your Benefits Fair or Enrollment Events

Got a benefits fair coming up? Invite clinic staff to join. Better yet—set up a quick “Meet the Provider” moment or offer 5-minute wellness checks. A face-to-face interaction builds comfort and connection faster than any email ever could. 

If your workforce is remote or hybrid, consider a 10-minute “Intro to the Clinic” webinar with a provider Q&A. 

Tip: 

Offer a small incentive—like raffle entries or company swag—for anyone who signs up or books a wellness visit during open enrollment. 

Connect It to the Bigger Picture

Your onsite clinic isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic investment. Research shows that onsite clinics can reduce total medical costs by 15–25%, improve chronic disease management, and increase productivity (National Association of Worksite Health Centers, 2023). 

Your worksite clinic can help employees manage their health before issues become costly, all while supporting retention, engagement, and wellness. 

Tip: 

Use open enrollment to frame the clinic as a retention tool and a culture-building resource—not just a transactional benefit. 

 

Final Thoughts: The Clinic Is a Year-Round Win—Start with Open Enrollment 

Open enrollment is like the season premiere of your company’s benefits —people are tuning in and ready to be wowed. Don’t let the onsite clinic be a background character. Make it a headliner. 

By spotlighting the clinic in your materials, events, and conversations, you help employees see it not as a perk—but as a partner in their personal health journey. 

 

References 

  • National Association of Worksite Health Centers. (n.d.). What is an “onsite” or “near-site” center? Employer Shared Clinics | Nat’l Association of Worksite Health Centers. https://www.nawhc.org/What-is-an-Onsite-or-Near-site-Center 
  • O’Keefe, L.C., Anderson, F., (March 20, 2017) "Benefits of On-Site Clinics" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 22, No. 2.