Walgreens new health "clinics"...?

[kentuck]

I go to Walgreens a lot. Mostly because it is only a couple of blocks from my house and it is quick. I have noticed in the last few days that they took out a bunch of shelves on one side of their store and put in a small hallway with an adjoining room for their new "clinic". They say they are doing it for the unemployed and the under-insured. I wondered why??

Are they doing it simply because they want to help people? Or is someone giving them money to do it? Who and why?

My wife, who works for a community health center, says that their folks are very concerned about these new "clinics". Has anyone else witnessed these new "clinics" in their neighborhood?

[Nickster]

1. Here's an interesting take on things.

http://industry.bnet.com/healthcare/100081/walgreens-health-clinic-faces-political-trouble-in-boston/

It looks like they want to make a profit, so they aren't doing it out of the kindness of their hearts and that it ultimately draws away funding from public healthcare.

[tosh]

7. Yep, profit for sure. Good link....

<snip>

"Last month, the WSJ reported that companies have recently closed 69 clinics in 15 states, largely because they weren’t profitable enough. That sort of churn presents another concern to public officials, since there’s no guarantee that a for-profit clinic will stick around, even if it drives community facilities out of business."

[Statistical]

2. Tin Foil?

Why would someone be concerned about free/low cost healthcare.

Of course they aren't doing it to be "nice" they are doing it to improve the brand.
* good PR
* eventually unemployed people will be employed and likely stay w/ Walgreens remember who helped them when they were down.
* if clinic prescribes medication or recommends an OTC product where do you think patient is going to get it from?

Kinda a no brainer. Wish more companies would do things like that.

Now it isn't a solution to all problems in country but for simple/routine problems, screening, etc I think it is a good idea.

[Mojorabbit]

12. I am

ambivalent about it. While I like the idea of access to medical care for people, I would like to see what kind of follow up these people are going to get.

[meegbear]

3. CVS drugstores are opening up "Minuteclinics" in their stores ...

<snip>

Staffed primarily by nurse practitioners and physician's assistants, MinuteClinics treat a limited number of common ailments and offer routine vaccinations. They are also open seven days a week and never require an appointment. As a result, MinuteClinics provide an ideal solution for professionals and parents with busy schedules, anyone whose doctor isn't immediately available, or people who want to avoid visiting an emergency room for minor ailments.

MinuteClinics will play an increasingly important role in our drive to lower the cost of health care for insurance plans and self-insured employers. Each location provides quality care at a price that is more affordable than the typical visit to the doctor's office or emergency room. Of course, when patients have conditions that require a doctor's care, MinuteClinic refers them to their family physician or provides a list of area doctors if they don't have one.

<snip>

http://www.cvscaremark.com/our-company/our-businesses/minuteclinic

I say why not.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

4. Very common around Chicago.

Seems to be as much for convenience as for "the unemployed and the under-insured" though. You can pop in for a flu shot or a minor injury w/o an appointment.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. self-delete

[WI_DEM]

6. They also offer many prescription drugs (usually generic) for as low as $4

[kentuck]

8. I have insurance and...

my co-pay on a couple of medications went up from $20 to $35 per prescription, which I know is not a lot, but I wonder if it has anything to do with their new "clinics"?

[tosh]

10. No, that has everything to do with your insurance plan and nothing

to do with your pharmacy.

[Statistical]

15. Your copay is set by your employer. Go yell at your boss (well maybe not right now) n/t

[tosh]

9. Both of these, $4 generics and clinics, are in response to programs

initiated by Wal-Mart.

[WI_DEM]

13. Yep and Target is starting to do it too.

[azmouse]

11. A local supermarket here has mini-clinics in their stores.

It must be the health care of the future.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

14. There Have Been MinuteClinics In CVS's For YEARS Now. They're Friggin Awesome Too.

Nurse practitioners every bit as capable as the doctors, really listen to you, you're in and out, and they have saturday and sunday hours! It's a great thing.

[Indy Lurker]

16. I think they are a great idea.

I'm lucky enough to be a healthy person. I do however get get strep throat about every 3 years. I know what it is as soon as I get it. If I could buy an anti-biotic over the counter I would have eliminated 75% the doctor's visits I've had throughout my life. This would fill that gap. It would also be a good alternative to a urgent care clinic for a couple quick stitches, ear infection, etc. Nothing life threatening, nothing complicated.

You don't need a master mechanic to change your oil.