Greater Memphis Chamber subsidiary Chamber Benefits, Inc., the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, and WeCare tlc have formed a partnership to open primary care health centers at YMCA locations across Greater Memphis starting in 2024.
The partners are in the process of determining which YMCA locations will house the first three ChamberCare Health Centers. Target markets are Whitehaven, Downtown, and Cordova.
Businesses of all sizes can enroll their employees in the program for $40 per month per employee, which will allow them to offer employee health care at a more affordable cost. Similarly, individuals can also enroll for $40 per month. Dependents are included at no extra charge.
“This is a partnership united by its love of Memphis and desire to see greater access to primary care throughout our community,” said Ted Townsend, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
“ChamberCare Health Centers are designed to improve not only the health of our community but of our economy. Enrolling in this program will help small businesses, which create two out of every three jobs, provide their employees with exceptional benefits at low costs in a highly competitive jobs market.”
After opening the first two health centers, the partners plan to open a new health center in or near a different local YMCA for every 2,000 lives enrolled in the program, including dependents.
“At the Y, strengthening community is our cause,” said Jerry Martin, president and CEO of YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South. “This partnership perfectly aligns with our mission to support programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
“Providing access to quality healthcare, especially in areas with fewer options, enables us to broaden our services to continue to help families and individuals thrive on their journey to wellness.”
The ChamberCare Health Centers will be operated by WeCare tlc, a nationally recognized and Tennessee-certified Woman Business Enterprise that operates health centers across the nation. Each of the approximately 2,500-square-foot centers will have full-time staffs, including primary care physicians and health coaches.
“WeCare tlc delivers proactive primary care solutions that prevent and manage costly conditions, while allowing our clients to provide an exceptional benefit to attract and retain top talent,” said Raegan Le Douaron, president and CEO of WeCare tlc. “Primary care can address an estimated 95 percent of health issues, making this an affordable, equitable solution for potentially tens of thousands of Memphians.”
Chamber Benefits, Inc. (CBI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chamber dedicated to providing the highest quality, most cost-effective employee benefit products to Memphis businesses, will help promote and administer the ChamberCare clinics.
(For more information or to sign up, visit https://wecaretlc.com/wecare-tlc-memphis.)
