GETTING TO THE HEART OF IT

Enrolling in Health⁺ ended up being one of Gail Larson’s greatest decisions she’s made in her life, it even saved her life. “Thanks to Dr. Brugger, I found out I had a heart murmur. Out of all the doctor’s I’ve seen, she’s the only one that found it.” Dr. Brugger acted quickly, and Gail was sent to the hospital and underwent a triple bypass with a valve replacement. “Now every time I go in to visit Dr. Brugger, I tell her that she saved my life.”

Health⁺ is an employee health clinic offered to employees of Knute Nelson and Alomere Health. As part of Knute Nelson’s benefit program, Gail enrolled over a year ago. She is thankful for all the benefits Health⁺ offers her. The clinic is available to all employees and dependents covered under the Knute Nelson medical insurance plan. In addition, it is offered to employees that only elect the buy-in option. The clinic offers all the primary care services you would expect from a Primary Care Provider/General Practitioner. When Gail enrolled, Dr. Brugger became her primary care provider. In the case where care may be needed outside of the clinic, referrals are made.

In Gail’s case, she was referred to a cardiologist for her heart murmur. She sees her cardiologist once a month, along with follow ups from Dr. Brugger. “Communication with Dr. Brugger is fantastic,” Gail explains. “She listens to me, asks in-depth questions, and she calls me to see how I’m doing. We also communicate through MyChart a lot. It’s a great communication tool. We’ve also done video visits. They are convenient and easy. Dr. Brugger is very punctual and is in the moment when we meet. She and Health⁺ have been a real asset to me.”

Gail initially made the decision to enroll in Health⁺ because of the cost savings. Certain Knute Nelson benefit plans allow the clinic to have no cost visits. Other plans only require a $35 charge per visit. Knute Nelson covers the cost of all visits, procedures, labs, and prescription medication available on-site. Procedures and prescriptions taking place outside of the clinic will be processed through a health plan or paid for by the employee. She soon realized there were many more reasons to enroll.

Gail has only wonderful things to say about Health⁺ and definitely recommends it … and she actually has. “With the care I’ve received and the cost savings, Health+ has been such a benefit to me. Nowadays, prescriptions are so expensive and getting them for free is a godsend. It is also really close to where I work. You don’t have a long drive.” She describes the atmosphere as one where everyone is so helpful and nice. Gail smiles as she says, “Dr. Brugger is like a sister to me when I’m there. She’s interested, concerned and she really cares about me. I love it there and I’ve referred a lot of people to go there too.“

In the uncertainties of the world today, having a healthcare provider and clinic that cares and has heart, is welcomed and needed. Gail see’s the same kind of care there that she takes with the residents at Knute Nelson. As part of the housekeeping team, she has great conversations with them, she listens, and she has made some great friendships. She showed great joy in saying, “The residents are just like my grandma and grandpa.” And for Gail, finding that same level of care, listening and sense of well-being at Health⁺ has truly been a godsend. You should make that first call to Health⁺ yourself, Gail would highly recommend it.