MinuteClinic Opens First Retail Medical Clinics in New Mexico

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic has opened New Mexico's first retail medical clinics inside three CVS/pharmacy stores in Albuquerque and one in Rio Rancho. MinuteClinic is the retail medical clinic of CVS Health and the largest and fastest growing provider of store-based clinics with locations in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

The 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.

"We are excited to bring MinuteClinic's high quality, convenient and affordable medical services to New Mexico, our fourth expansion state in 2014," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., MinuteClinic President and CVS Health Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer. "We anticipate an increasing demand for services in New Mexico and believe MinuteClinic can be part of the solution to help broaden access to care for local residents."

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants 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 and skin conditions are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia and Hepatitis A & B are available at most locations. Walk-in camp, sports and college physicals are available daily.

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

At the conclusion of each visit, MinuteClinic practitioners give the patient a visit summary, educational material and a prescription (when clinically appropriate). A diagnostic record is sent via electronic health record, fax or mail to the patient's primary care provider with permission.

Sussman says MinuteClinic is committed to helping patients find a medical home and believes it can play a complementary role in working with primary care providers.

"About 50 percent of our visits occur on evenings, weekends and holidays when patients may not be able to get an appointment with their primary care provider," Sussman said. "And about half of the patients we see at MinuteClinic are 'medically homeless' and do not have a personal physician."

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

"MinuteClinic also has affiliations with 47 major health systems around the country, with joint clinical programs and integration of electronic medical records," Sussman said.

The MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in New Mexico operate from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Albuquerque San Mateo Boulevard and Rio Rancho clinics open at 10 a.m. on weekdays until Dec. 8 when they begin standard hours.

Now Open:

• Albuquerque, 9640 Menaul Blvd. NE
• Albuquerque, 4201 Montano Rd. NW
• Albuquerque, 4340 San Mateo Blvd. NE
• Rio Rancho, 1001 New Mexico Hwy. 528 SE

About MinuteClinic
CVS/minuteclinic is the retail medical clinic of CVS Health (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 939 locations in 31 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 22 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.

SOURCE MinuteClinic

Related Links

http://www.minuteclinic.com