What Is a Retail Clinic?
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What defines a Retail Clinic?
A retail clinic (also known as a convenient care clinic) is a health center located within a retail store. A MinuteClinic® in a CVS Pharmacy, select Target stores or CVS HealthHub is an example of a retail clinic.
Retail clinics provide services to help you take care of minor health needs. They are not meant to address emergency health concerns.
When you visit a retail clinic, you will often see a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician associate (PA). These health care professionals are certified to treat non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. This includes fevers, colds, skin conditions, allergies and infections.
You often won’t find X-ray machines and other large diagnostic equipment at a retail clinic. They also do not offer services for urgent or life-threatening issues. If you ever find yourself in a health emergency, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Retail clinics can also be a cost-effective way of receiving immediate care for non- emergencies. They usually charge a set price for a particular service. For that reason, going to a retail clinic can help you better manage medical care costs
What are some of the benefits of MinuteClinic?
MinuteClinic has all the benefits of a retail clinic and more. High-quality and cost- effective health care services are one of the many benefits of MinuteClinic. A visit to one of our locations can be a convenient alternative to a traditional doctor’s visit. MinuteClinic also offers over 190 services, including:
- Treatment for minor illnesses, injuries and skin conditions
- Screenings and monitoring
- Vaccinations
- Travel health
- Wellness and physicals
- Women’s health
MinuteClinic has also been recognized for its healthy work environment. It was the first retail clinic to receive the “Pathways to Excellence” certification. We received this for our commitment to creating a culture of high-quality care. As a result, our health care professionals feel empowered and valued. This translates to better service for all our patients.
MinuteClinic also provides other benefits, such as:
Convenient locations: MinuteClinic has over 900 locations in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Most of our clinics are also inside a CVS Pharmacy.
Extended hours of operation: MinuteClinic locations are open beyond regular business hours, seven days a week.
Certified health professionals: MinuteClinic staffs certified nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs). They provide convenient, high-quality care at reasonable prices.
Integration with major health systems: MinuteClinic is connected with the traditional health care system in a variety of ways. This includes our partnerships with nearly 70 major health systems. This lets us easily share summaries and other health information with physicians and health institutions.
Telehealth visits: MinuteClinic offers telehealth visits for remote access to our health care services. With telehealth, MinuteClinic providers can address your health needs from the comfort of your home or even when traveling. All telehealth options are also available with or without insurance.
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References used as sources for this page:
- nytimes.com/2009/10/03/health/03patient.html
- cvshealth.com/news-and-insights/press-releases/minuteclinic-receives-ancc-pathway-to-excellence-designation-for
- www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cvs-minuteclinics-link-john-muir-novant-health-michigan-health-and-university-chicago