A Prescription for Workers' Health

"We went in saying, 'Jeez, you don't have very many people here, and it's a young group,' " Hummer said. Whole Health looked at the numbers -- doctor visits and costs -- and thought at best, Discovery could break even. But Discovery decided to proceed, and after the first year, Whole Health reported savings of $1,000 per person.

"Some direct costs, but also a lot of lost work time was eliminated," Hummer said. With a doctor just steps away, a cold might not turn into bronchitis. High blood pressure might not lead to a stroke.

"We've really been emphasizing that we want people to take a more active role in their health and wellness," said Julie Peterson, vice president of compensation and benefits at Freddie Mac. "The easier we make it, it's like you're running out of excuses to not make that change."

Capital One Financial Corp. opened a clinic at its Richmond office about a year ago and at its McLean campus in February. "It was kind of a no-brainer once we did it," said Matt Schuyler, executive vice president of human resources at Capital One. He said the company has already broken even on its initial costs.

The Freddie Mac clinic looks like any small doctor's office. The receptionist sits behind a sliding glass window near the sign-in sheet. Medical literature and magazines are stacked in the waiting room, along with a rubbery model of what five pounds of fat looks like. (Company spokeswoman Shawn Flaherty said she likes to look at it periodically, particularly if she has been lax about getting to the company gym.)

There are several exam rooms, a separate area for quick fixes like Advil, and a room where blood is drawn or allergy shots are given. Columbus Giles, the doctor, works at the clinic two to three days a week. Heather Bonshock, a nurse practitioner, is there full time. Patient-employees have come to know her so well -- and ask about her so much -- that the receptionist laminated and posted an announcement that the baby Bonshock is expecting this winter will be a boy.

Andrea Thrasher, a lawyer with Freddie, was waiting for her allergy shot while reading documents. "Prior to this, I drove to the allergist never knowing if there would be a big crowd," she said. "It was really disruptive during the day. When this opened, it was like a godsend."

Without the clinic, Mike Orlov, information engineering manager at Freddie, may have gone another year or two without a physical. Just the thought of scheduling an appointment four months in advance, blocking off half a day to leave his office to plunge into afternoon traffic and then wait at the doctor's office was too daunting. But, he acknowledged, now that he's 40, he needs to have those regular check-ups.

On a recent day, he left his desk, walked through the lobby buzzing with impromptu meetings, people on cellphones and security guards checking identification. He trotted down a hallway and opened the door of what used to be a meeting room.

There, he was greeted by a receptionist. He signed in and sat with other patients waiting for allergy shots and follow-up appointments. He was quickly seen by Giles -- whom employees greet in the cafeteria and ask about that weird headache they have been having.

It took 20 minutes, and there was no co-pay.

"You have to waste half a day with the regular doctor," Orlov said as he stood next to the paper-covered exam table. "Here, it's convenient."