CVS opens three MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Northern California, will open four more in November, adding to 35 locations already in state; CVS opening 150 MinuteClinics in US in 2013

Cindy Allen

WOONSOCKET, Rhode Island , October 16, 2013 (press release) – Clinics in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to Support Growing Insured Patient Population Created By Affordable Care Act

The first MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Northern California and the Bay Area have opened inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation and the largest provider of retail medical clinics in the United States.

Three MinuteClinic locations are now operating in Foster City, San Jose and Sunnyvale CVS/pharmacy stores. Four additional clinics will begin to treat patients in November in Burlingame, Campbell, Mountain View and Santa Clara.

The walk-in medical clinics are open seven days a week with no appointment necessary. Most major health insurance is accepted. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each clinic and on www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most services starts at $79.

There are 35 MinuteClinic locations elsewhere in California spanning from the San Fernando Valley to San Diego. MinuteClinic's entry into Northern California is part of the company's national expansion plan to open 150 clinics nationwide in 2013.

"Since opening the first clinics in Southern California in 2007, MinuteClinic has helped expand access to high-quality, convenient and affordable care to thousands of residents who have visited convenient CVS/pharmacy locations near where they live and work," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., MinuteClinic President and CVS Caremark Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer. "MinuteClinic can help support the primary care medical home in California at a time when the nation faces physician shortages coupled with increased patient demand as a result of the Affordable Care Act and an aging population."

Approximately half of MinuteClinic patients are seen on evenings, weekends and holidays, according to Sussman.

The clinics are staffed by MinuteClinic nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia and hepatitis

A & B are available. Walk-in camp, sports, and college physicals are available daily.

In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help consumers identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health, including screenings and monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

MinuteClinic practitioners use a software program that at the conclusion of each visit generates educational material, an invoice and a prescription (when clinically appropriate) for the patient, as well as a diagnostic record that can be sent via electronic health record, fax or mail to a primary care provider with patient permission.

Patients who visit MinuteClinic without a PCP are provided a list of physicians in the area who are accepting new patients.

"About half of the patients MinuteClinic sees do not have a physician," Sussman said.

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties operate from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

MinuteClinic locations inside CVS/pharmacy stores in the Bay Area are:

Now Open:

Foster City, 987 E. Hillsdale Blvd.
San Jose, 2514 Berryessa Rd.
Sunnyvale, 576 E. El Camino Real

Opening in November:

Burlingame, 1871 E. El Camino Real
Campbell, 1720 S. Bascom Ave.
Mountain View, 2630 W. El Camino Real
Santa Clara, 2700 Homestead Rd.

About MinuteClinic
MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail medical clinics in the United States in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with more than 700 locations in 27 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than 17 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating. MinuteClinic is the only retail health care provider to receive three consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.

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