Innovative healthcare solution launches at Fogelman YMCA location, making Memphis healthier and companies stronger through affordable, accessible primary care

MEMPHIS, TN – Chamber Benefits Inc. – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Greater Memphis Chamber – announces, in partnership with the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South, the soft opening of the first ChamberCare Health Center at the Fogelman YMCA location. This marks the initial phase of an innovative healthcare solution designed to address the critical need for accessible, affordable primary care across the Memphis region. Additionally, in partnership with WeCare tlc, a national leader in collaborative workplace wellness, ChamberCare will provide advanced primary care services to businesses that would like to offer health benefits to their employees but can’t afford health insurance.

The Fogelman YMCA Downtown is the first of many planned health centers that will be strategically positioned throughout the Greater Memphis Area to ensure community-wide access to care. This initial location will begin serving ChamberCare members immediately, with additional centers to be opened in phases.

ChamberCare directly addresses one of Memphis’s most pressing challenges: Less than 40% of Memphis residents have health insurance, creating both a public health and an economic development obstacle. The initiative will particularly benefit small businesses, which makeup over 80% of the Memphis business community and often struggle to provide healthcare benefits.

“ChamberCare represents our commitment to relentlessly pursuing prosperity for all,” said Ted Townsend, President and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. “If we don’t have a healthy workforce, emerging and expanding companies won’t establish a presence in Memphis. This innovative model allows businesses of all sizes to offer high-quality healthcare, helping them attract and retain talent while improving community health outcomes. Starting with our Fogelman YMCA location, ChamberCare is taking the first step toward transforming Memphis into a healthier city and making our business community stronger.”

The patient-centered care model offers unlimited access to physician-led primary care with same-day or next-day appointments, comprehensive preventive services, chronic condition management, and virtual care options. For just $40 per month, employees and their families can access these services, with minimal additional costs limited to lab fees and low-cost generic prescriptions.

“The population health approach of ChamberCare addresses a critical gap for those who can least afford healthcare,” said Ted Ferris, SVP and Chief Administrative Officer at the Greater Memphis Chamber. “About 95 percent of the care insured people receive is for primary care services like colds, flu, UTIs, and sinus infections.”

The initiative is projected to save participating companies at least 20% on their overall healthcare expenditures. Every $1 invested in primary care yields a return of $13 in downstream cost savings, which can be reinvested back into member companies.

At WeCare tlc, we believe quality healthcare should be accessible to all, and this partnership with the Greater Memphis Chamber and the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South is a key step toward making that vision a reality in the Memphis area,” said Raegan Garber Le Douaron, President and CEO of WeCare tlc. “ChamberCare will empower businesses of all sizes to offer affordable, comprehensive primary care, improving health outcomes while strengthening the local workforce and economy. We are excited to collaborate on this initiative and look forward to making a lasting impact on the community.”

The Chamber developed this collaborative model by partnering with large and mid-size companies interested in sponsoring centers for their employees and families, creating a pathway for small businesses to access quality, affordable healthcare solutions.

For more information about ChamberCare or to learn how your business can participate, contact Ted Ferris, SVP and Chief Administrative Officer at the Greater Memphis Chamber, and Raegan Garber Le Douaron, President and CEO of WeCare tlc.

About The Greater Memphis Chamber 

One of Memphis’ oldest institutions, dating back to 1838, the Greater Memphis Chamber is a privately funded nonprofit that serves as the region’s lead economic development organization and the “Voice of Memphis Business” on local, state, and national issues. The Chamber’s mission is to drive the Memphis business agenda for Greater Memphis. We do this by relentlessly pursuing prosperity for all — through economic and workforce development, pro-growth advocacy, and by providing support and resources to its investors, which include many of the region’s largest employers.  

About the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South 

The YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South is one of the area’s largest nonprofits focused on engaging individuals and families in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With 11 full-service facilities and 100+ program sites, the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South spans from the Greater Memphis area to include Jackson, Trenton, and Milan in West Tennessee, down to DeSoto County and Oxford in MS. The Y is dedicated to helping people achieve goals, make friends, and find a true sense of belonging. Centers offer quality time for families to be together, resources for parents, and a variety of opportunities for seniors to be active. The YMCA ensures these opportunities are available to everyone no matter their ability to pay with generous support from community partners and donors. For more information about the Y, visit ymcamemphis.org

About WeCare tlc

WeCare tlc is a leader in onsite and near-site advanced primary care healthcare centers for employers. The company is on a mission to change how healthcare is delivered in the United States by disrupting the care delivery model. Its health centers are available to individual employers or can be created through a cooperative effort of multiple companies. Healthcare services include primary care, chronic care management, laboratory testing, medication dispensing, and negotiation for outpatient procedures. WeCare tlc has developed systems that streamline claims data, which is coupled with health center data to clarify how healthcare dollars are spent. The company has adopted best practices to mitigate medical risks. WeCare tlc has saved clients more than $420 million in claim costs, reduced healthcare costs by 20 percent, and reduced urgent care visits by 50 percent. The company was founded in 2005 in Lake Mary, Fla., and now has more than 200 employees nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.wecaretlc.com or call us at 1-800-941-0644.