MinuteClinic Named Official Sports Physical Provider of Pop Warner

WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, a division of CVS Caremark and the largest provider of walk-in medical clinics in the United States, announced today that it has been named the official sports physical provider of Pop Warner Little Scholars, a non-profit organization that provides youth football, dance, and cheerleading programs across the country.

The collaboration is designed to offer parents of Pop Warner athletes convenient and affordable options to obtain required sports physicals for their children before they participate in organized activities. Sports physicals at MinuteClinic are offered seven days a week with no appointment necessary inside more than 625 select CVS/pharmacy stores across the country.

Through the collaboration, football, dance and cheerleading team members can take advantage of convenient sports physicals at MinuteClinic and obtain a discount offered only to Pop Warner participants. The special offer provides $5 off sports physicals at MinuteClinic through the end of the year.  A coupon – which must be presented at MinuteClinic at the time of the physical to obtain the discount – and the Pop Warner Physical Fitness and Medical History form can be printed from the MinuteClinic website at http://www.minuteclinic.com/popwarner and completed in advance. Pop Warner parents can also click on the MinuteClinic logo on the Pop Warner website http://www.popwarner.com/.

"MinuteClinic is proud to be associated with Pop Warner and the role it plays to develop young people on the field and in the classroom," said Nancy Gagliano, M.D., MinuteClinic Chief Medical Officer.  "Safety on the field and in the gym begins with a pre-participation physical."

"We look forward to partnering with CVS MinuteClinic to provide our young athletes nationwide with high quality, affordable and convenient sports physicals and other health services," said Mary FitzGerald, COO of Pop Warner. "The health and safety of our members is our number one priority."

Pre-participation physicals administered by a state licensed practitioner are required for all Pop Warner team members after January 1 of a new playing year. Most other athletic leagues and school systems also require sports physicals. Certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who specialize in family health care administer exams at MinuteClinic.

"It's important for young athletes to get checked before the start of a new season," said Angela Patterson, MinuteClinic Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer.  "During the visit, our practitioners review medical history and check to see if immunizations are up to date. They'll then record weight and height and provide a thorough physical exam that includes a check of vital signs and reflexes and an overall assessment of health."

MinuteClinic practitioners also take time to answer questions and share educational tips about the importance of stretching, hydrating and avoiding overexertion so children can play their best.

Once a child is cleared to participate, MinuteClinic practitioners will provide a patient visit summary that indicates that the child has passed the physical exam. Copies of the patient visit summary can be transmitted by electronic record, fax or mail to the youth's pediatrician or primary care provider with patient permission. Typically this occurs within 24 hours. Sports physicals should not replace an annual wellness visit with a primary care provider, according to Patterson.

In addition to sports physicals, MinuteClinic offers camp, college, Department of Transportation (DOT) and administrative physicals on a daily basis at locations around the country. Insurance is not accepted for physical exams. Payment is due at time of the visit (additional lab charges may apply). Requirements for physicals vary by state and services are not available at MinuteClinic locations in Massachusetts.

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 15 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.

About Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.     
Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, PA, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the world's largest youth football, cheerleading and dance organization and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes academics as a pre-requisite for participation. Currently there are over 400,000 children in Pop Warner organizations in 43 states, Scotland, Germany, Russia, Japan and Mexico. The NFLPA estimates that 70% of all current NFL Players got their start in Pop Warner programs. For more information on Pop Warner and its programs visit popwarner.com, our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE MinuteClinic