Affordability and Convenience Spark Rise of Neighborhood Health Centers

When Marie Joseph's nephew had an ear infection, she didn't take him to the doctor. Instead, like an increasing number of other medical consumers, she headed straight to the nearest RediClinic sandwiched between the soaps and cosmetics in a New York City drugstore.

There, a nurse practitioner prescribed an antibiotic in a quick visit that cost her $45.

Similar neighborhood health-care centers are catching on fast nationwide and popping up in Wal-Marts, CVS pharmacies and other stores. Why?

Answers one of their employees: “Customers deserve the convenience and consumer-focused experience of quality treatment for minor illnesses right in their own neighborhoods."

As the demand for quick and affordable medical care increases and patients’ out-of-pocket expenses grow, many industry-watchers believe that retail-based medical centers will become an important addition to traditional health care.

Whether it’s the MinuteClinics in locations from Seattle to West Palm Beach or the SmartCare Centers in North and South Carolina, these neighborhood centers represent a new choice for fast and affordable health care.

The clinics are conveniently located next to pharmacies so prescriptions can be filled immediately without the need for additional travel. In more good news for hectic schedules, the average visit takes about 15 minutes and you don't need appointments. The clinics treat patients 18 months and older, using a directory of services that lists all the conditions treated and costs to eliminate surprises.

Treatments range from common illnesses such as allergies (ages 6+), and ear infections to strep throat and skin conditions (minor burns and poison ivy). Also available are vaccinations, flu shots and pregnancy testing, to name a few. Costs range between $28 and $110 and are reimbursed by most insurance plans. What's more, the clinics are conveniently located and open every day.

Despite their seeming advantages, the clinics have come under fire from physicians because of concerns about staffing and the amount of time spent with patients. Nurse practitioners and certified medical assistants staff the clinics, with board-certified physicians available on call.

While some doctors have challenged the quality of care the neighborhood centers can deliver, what the facilities offer is “focused treatment" — restricting medical services to a manageable list of conditions to reduce wait times and boost patient satisfaction.

Employers may want to check their health-plan coverage to ensure treatment at neighborhood health centers is covered since having employees visit the centers for the treatments they specialize in can benefit both the employee and employer.

The fact is that MinuteClinics are a supplement to — and not a replacement of — the primary care physician.

Source: The Boston Globe