CVS Health expands in-store MinuteClinic locations
CVS Health continues to roll out in-store MinuteClinics as part of the nationwide expansion of its health-focused HealthHub format.
CVS Health said it has opened the first MinuteClinic locations in the state of Washington. The walk-in medical clinic inside CVS Pharmacy stores are designed to provide high-quality, affordable care for a wide variety of acute, wellness and chronic disease care for patients ages 18 months and older, with expanded night and weekend hours and no appointment necessary. MinuteClinic also provides options for telehealth visits.
The new MinuteClinic locations can be found inside CVS HealthHub store. The HealthHub format was developed to help people manage chronic conditions more conveniently and affordably by improving the overall patient experience and featuring a wide array of accessible health and wellness products, clinical services and expertise.
CVS HealthHub locations also feature an on-site “care concierge,” who can help educate customers about new service offerings, navigate in-store services, and connect them to a team of health care providers. Additionally, the stores include a greater selection of health and wellness products and more personalized support at CVS Pharmacy. In January, CVS said it planned have to up to 1,500 locations operating nationwide by the end of 2021.
MinuteClinics are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses; treat wounds, abrasions and sprains; and administer common vaccinations.
"We're focused on helping increase access to high-quality, affordable health care for people in the communities where they live and work," said Sharon Vitti, president, MinuteClinic. "We look forward to MinuteClinic being a convenient resource for Washingtonians, both in-person and virtually, as how people access care continues to evolve."
Prevention and wellness services offered at MinuteClinic include screening and monitoring for diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, tuberculosis (TB) testing, contraceptive care, motion sickness prevention and smoking cessation. CVS HealthHub locations also offer expanded services at MinuteClinic such as annual diabetic exams, including retinopathy screenings, end-to-end sleep apnea solutions and phlebotomy services.
At the conclusion of each MinuteClinic visit, patients receive educational material, a prescription (when clinically appropriate) and a visit summary. A copy of the diagnostic record can be sent electronically, or by fax or mail, to a primary care provider with patient permission.