National retailers CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreen"s, and New York-based Duane Reade are putting health care clinics in their stores. Why? To provide basic health care services at affordable prices, with longer open hours and shorter waiting times, said an article by Reuters.
For basic visits to an in-store clinic, the cost ranges from $40 and $65. They"ve become a popular (and affordable) alternative to the emergency room especially for those who are uninsured.
Some doctors groups, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, are worried patients won"t receive quality care. Nurse practitioners are the main providers for the clinic"s medical services. They"re also concerned the clinics will threaten the doctor/patient relationship.
But the executive director of MinuteClinic, Michael Howe, said, “We"re fully accredited for all of the services we provide. We meet the same standards that other healthcare organizations meet.”
“We make it very clear to the patients they have a right to go where they want,” Howe added.
If these retailers open a few thousand clinics around the country like they plan on, it"s bound to affect the health care system a bit. One downside to the clinics? They could give an incentive for people to stay uninsured.