Seasonal Closure of Some Retail Health Clinics

CVS Closing Some Clinics Just as More Americans Need Them

Mar 17, 2009 Kathy Quan

At a time when more Americans are losing jobs and consequently health insurance, CVS Caremark Corp. has announced the seasonal closure of 89 of its Minute Clinics.

Just when Americans can use more affordable health care options, this comes as a blow. Critics state this is an interesting time to close clinics for those who say their mission is to serve the uninsured. CVS defends this action by saying that their own analysis shows that they are able to meet the need of consumers with the 460 retail health clinic locations remaining open. The seasonally closed clinics will open again in the fall of 2009 for flu clinics as well as other services.

In addition to CVS Caremark Corp., Walgreen Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. also operate retail health clinics in their stores nationwide. Neither the Walgreen Co. or Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have indicated closure of any of their clinics. In fact, both have recently opened new clinics, and are committed to expansion. To date, there are about 1100 of these retail health clinics across the U.S.

The clinics are open seven days a week and no appointment is needed. They are usually staffed by nurse practitioners who are RNs with an advanced degree and training in diagnosis and treatment. A physician is available (usually by phone) for consultation if needed, and patients with conditions beyond the NP’s scope of practice are referred to appropriate facilities.

Retail Health Clinics Meeting Needs

After initially expressing great concerns about the ability to meet the needs of the public and possible conflict of interest issues with being inside a retail pharmacy, doctors, nurses and health insurers have acknowledged the fact that these clinics are meeting a specific need.

With more than 45 million Americans uninsured, this model of health care delivery has been seen as a lifeline to consumers. The cost effectiveness is appreciated not only by those who are unemployed or without insurance, but by health insurers as well.

Some health insurance companies will forgo the traditional office visit co-pay because of the over-all savings at these clinics. CVS reports that on average, the cost of a visit is $62 which is significantly less than a traditional physician’s office would charge and far less than an emergency care facility.

More Convenient and Cost Effective Care

The convenience of longer hours and being able to walk in without an appointment is also quite appealing. Because the clinics only assess and treat non-emergency conditions, the actual visit time is significantly less than at an Urgent Care or Emergency Room. This in turn cuts down the wait time. Employees can take a sick child in for evaluation and be back at work in an acceptable time.

The clinics also serve to reduce the number of patients with flu, cold and other non-emergency symptoms such as pink eye, sore throats, ear or sinus infections out of the overcrowded emergency rooms. This not only helps the ER to function and provide better care to those who need emergency care, but it helps to reduce the spread of germs.

The copyright of the article Seasonal Closure of Some Retail Health Clinics in Health Field is owned by Kathy Quan . Permission to republish Seasonal Closure of Some Retail Health Clinics in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nurse