Good News for Seniors: Medicare Will Pay for Services at 'DR Doctor On-Premises Walk-In Medical Care' Facilities

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- It can be hard for senior citizens to receive routine medical care in a timely fashion when many doctors' offices and emergency rooms are crowded and area hospitals have been closed.

But now New York's senior citizens have a great new choice for receiving routine medical care, as the federal government has certified the New York Walk In Medical Group, PC, to receive payments for services under the Medicare program.  

The medical practice group runs the "DR Doctor On-Premises Walk-in Medical Care" facilities springing up in Duane Reade stores across Manhattan.  The facilities are staffed by licensed, board-certified physicians who can take care of most common ailments, minor injuries, routine screenings, vaccinations, and referrals to specialists.  

After patients are treated, the doctors can refer them back to their local primary or specialty care physicians, maintaining continuity of care.  The medical practice is affiliated with Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, giving patients access to several of New York's top health care facilities.  People with most forms of insurance are accepted, as are non-insured patients, and now Medicare subscribers.  

For busy New Yorkers, the chief advantages are convenience, affordability, and quality of care.  If a person's primary physician is not available, it is far less hassle to visit a nearby drugstore than to schedule an office appointment or visit an emergency room for non-life-threatening problems.

The number of patients treated in DR Doctor On-Premises Walk-In Medical Care facilities recently passed 100,000, according to Dr. Maggie Bertisch, MD, Medical Director for New York Walk-In Medical Group.  Having the ability to accept Medicare payments means her group can now offer the same level of convenience, affordability, and quality of care to more and more seniors.  

"Duane Reade is pleased to help bring New Yorkers convenient routine medical care through its association with the DR Doctor On-Premises Walk-In Medical Care facilities," said Frank Scorpiniti, Senior Vice-President of Pharmacy Operations for Duane Reade. "And now with the acceptance of Medicare at these facilities, we are truly 'making New York Living Easy' for Duane Reade's patients and customers."

The DR Doctor On-Premises Walk-In Medical Care facilities are managed by Consumer Health Services, Inc. (CHS), the premier provider of on-site, physician-directed consumer health centers.  For more information about the walk-in centers, including hours and locations, please visit www.drwalkin.com.

About Consumer Health Services

Consumer Health Services, Inc. (CHS) is the nation's premier manager of on-site consumer health centers, working with local doctors, nurses, and insurance companies to offer convenient, physician-directed care where people work, shop, and travel. Major retailers like Duane Reade, hospitality companies and large employers are turning to CHS to create consumer health centers that deliver an exceptional customer experience. To learn more, visit www.chscorp.com.

About Duane Reade

Founded in 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drugstore chain in New York City. In keeping with the company's brand vision of New York Living Made Easy, Duane Reade provides New Yorkers with prescriptions, health products and services, beauty products and services, food and convenience items for daily life in the City ... everything for "How I Feel," "How I Look," and "What I Need Now." Duane Reade operates 250+ stores throughout the metropolitan New York region and is part of the Walgreens family of companies.  To learn more, visit www.duanereade.com.  

SOURCE Consumer Health Services, Inc.