Conway offering new healthcare program for city employees

Conway’s 225 full-time employees will receive more than a 1 percent raise on July 1.

On that date — the start of the fiscal year — city workers will also be eligible to participate in a new healthcare program that covers physicals and some preventative medical visits. The initiative goes beyond the standard health insurance the city offers.

The budget approved by Conway City Council this week includes about $40,000 for the effort, said City Administrator Bill Graham. The program provides an annual physical for employees, a blood screening, a flu vaccination and up to four visits to a nurse practitioner.

City officials had considered offering on-site services, but after talking with some healthcare providers they opted to enter into an agreement with Agape Primary Care, which has an office on Main Street. Interested workers would visit Agape for treatment or exams.

“This would be the most cost-effective and efficient way to provide these services,” Graham said.

City leaders hope the program will encourage employees to be proactive about their health and not put off medical visits because of financial concerns.

“Hopefully,” Mayor Alys Lawson said, “it can relieve some of the health care burdens of our employees.”

This story was originally published May 21, 2015 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Conway offering new healthcare program for city employees."