MinuteClinic Enters Louisiana With Eight Locations in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Thibodaux Areas

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding to its 27^th state, MinuteClinic, a division of CVS Caremark Corporation and the largest provider of retail medical clinics in the United States, has opened its first locations in Louisiana inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Slidell and Thibodaux. Four additional clinics will open later the month in Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans and Prairieville.

The walk-in medical 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. The Joint Commission accredits the clinics.

MinuteClinic's entry into Louisiana is part of its national expansion plan to open 150 clinics nationwide in 2013.

"We face a significant shortage in primary care providers, an aging Baby Boomer population and soon the addition of millions of newly insured patients through the Affordable Care Act," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., MinuteClinic President and CVS Caremark Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer.  "By increasing access to high quality, affordable care at convenient clinic locations where patients shop, MinuteClinic can help support the primary care medical home in Louisiana."

More than half of MinuteClinic visits occur on evenings, weekends and holidays, according to Sussman.

The clinics are staffed by MinuteClinic 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, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia and hepatitis A & B are available. Walk-in camp, sports, and college 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.

MinuteClinic practitioners use a software program that at the conclusion of each visit generates educational material, an invoice and a prescription (when clinically appropriate) for the patient, as well as a diagnostic record that can be sent via electronic health record, fax or mail to a primary care provider with patient permission. 

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

"About half of the patients we see do not have a physician," Sussman said.

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Louisiana operate from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

MinuteClinic locations inside CVS/pharmacy stores in Louisiana are:

Now Open:

• Baton Rouge, 7777 Bluebonnet Blvd. Ste 100
• Mandeville, 2915 Highway 190
• Slidell, 2103 Gause Blvd. E
• Thibodaux, 201 N. Canal Blvd.

Opening Later in October:

• Kenner, 820 W. Esplanade Ave.
• Metairie, 2105 Cleary Ave.
• New Orleans, 4401 S. Claiborne Ave.
• Prairieville, 17122 Airline Highway

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 700 locations in 27 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 17 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