CVS MinuteClinic and Indiana University Health Announce Clinical Affiliation

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the retail health care division of CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), and Indiana University Health (IU Health), the largest and most comprehensive health system in Indiana, have entered into a clinical affiliation to enhance access to the high quality, affordable health care services they provide in communities throughout the state of Indiana.  

Under the agreement, IU Health physicians will serve as medical directors for 19 MinuteClinic locations, including 17 in the Indianapolis area, one in Bloomington and one in West Lafayette. Signage at participating MinuteClinic locations will inform patients that each site has a clinical affiliation with IU Health. In addition, MinuteClinic and IU Health will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives and will inform patients of the services each offers.  IU Health will accept patients who need a level of care that is not provided at MinuteClinic.

"As we continue to expand the number of clinics and services we offer in the Hoosier state, MinuteClinic shares a common goal with IU Health to make basic medical care more accessible to patients in locations near where they live and work," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., president, MinuteClinic and senior vice president/associate chief medical officer, CVS Caremark.  "We are excited to be collaborating with IU Health as we mark our eleventh clinical affiliation with a regional health system in the United States."

MinuteClinic and IU Health will begin to work toward fully integrating their electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of each individual's care.  With patient permission, MinuteClinic will share medical histories and visit summaries with other IU Health locations in Indiana.  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.

"This partnership supports our mission of improving and protecting the health of our patients and Indiana communities," said John F. Fitzgerald, M.D., chief executive officer, IU Health Physicians. "Through our collaboration with MinuteClinic, we will complement the role of primary care physicians by offering another convenient access point to high quality, affordable medical care during off-hours and weekends."

IU Health includes ownership or affiliation with more than 20 hospitals and health centers throughout Indiana, and has been named among the "Best Hospitals in America" by U.S.News & World Report for 14 consecutive years.

MinuteClinic has 21 walk-in medical clinics open seven days a week inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Indiana.  The clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners who 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 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 and college physicals for adolescents 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.

No appointments are required at MinuteClinic and most health insurance is accepted. Clinics in the Indianapolis area are open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

About Indiana University Health

Named among the "Best Hospitals in America" by U.S.News & World Report for 14 consecutive years, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation's leading medical schools – gives IU Health highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology.

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 health care centers in the United States in 2000 and is the first provider to establish a national presence, with nearly 600 locations in 26 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than 10 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating.  MinuteClinic consistently brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for clinical quality that exceed national guidelines. MinuteClinic is the first retail health care provider to receive accreditation (2006) and reaccreditation (2009) 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