Barnabas Health And MinuteClinic Enter Into Clinical Collaboration in Monmouth and Ocean Counties

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and WEST ORANGE, N.J., Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the retail health care division of CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) and Barnabas Health in New Jersey have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high quality, affordable health care services in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Under the agreement, Barnabas Health physicians will serve as medical directors for three MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics open seven days a week inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Jackson, Manalapan and Marlboro, New Jersey.  In addition, MinuteClinic and Barnabas Health will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives and will inform patients of the services each provide.

Barnabas Health will accept patients who need a level of care that is not provided among MinuteClinic services. Signage at MinuteClinic locations will inform patients that each site has an affiliation with Barnabas Health.

The Barnabas Health system in Monmouth and Ocean Counties includes: The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch; Community Medical Center, the Pediatric Subspecialty Center, and Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center, all in Tom's River; Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood; and a network of more than 4,600 physicians and 18,200 employees in New Jersey.

"MinuteClinic joins Barnabas Health in its commitment to provide the highest quality medical care to the people of Central New Jersey with a focus on reducing costs and increasing accessibility to health care services," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., President, MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark.  "As we have experienced elsewhere in New Jersey and in other communities in the U.S., strategic clinical affiliations between MinuteClinic and major health systems such as Barnabas Health enhance our ability to offer medical services to patients in convenient retail locations near where they live and work."

MinuteClinic medical clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners who provide treatment for acute illnesses and administer wellness and prevention services, including health condition monitoring.

"Our new clinical collaboration with MinuteClinic is an exciting initiative that advances our mission to heal while focusing on innovative prevention and wellness programs," stated Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Barnabas Health. "Barnabas Health facilities are among our communities' strongest resources. MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics provide accessible, high quality centers for promoting the health of our neighbors. Together, our partnership in Monmouth and Ocean Counties will enrich the health care that is offered to all."

MinuteClinic and Barnabas Health will begin to work toward fully integrating electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of each individual's care.  With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with other Barnabas Health locations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  In the meantime, MinuteClinic will continue its standard practice of sending patient visit summaries to primary care providers via fax or mail, typically within 24 hours, with patient consent.

MinuteClinic practitioners specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common 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, pertussis and Hepatitis A & B are available at most locations. Walk-in camp, sports, college, DOT and other administrative 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.

No appointments are required at MinuteClinic and most health insurance is accepted. Clinics in New Jersey are open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

About Barnabas Health

Barnabas Health is the largest not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system in New Jersey and one of the largest in the nation, with more than two million patient visits and delivery of more than 17,600 babies annually. The system includes six acute care hospitals, two children's hospitals, a freestanding behavioral health center, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state's largest behavioral health network and comprehensive home care and hospice programs. As the second-largest private employer in New Jersey, Barnabas Health includes 18,200 employees and 4,600 physicians – or one-fifth of the actively practicing physicians in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.barnabashealth.org.

About MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: 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 625 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to patient demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has provided care through more than 14 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 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.

SOURCE MinuteClinic

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