MinuteClinic Opens Walk-in Health Care Centers Inside CVS/pharmacy Stores in Hanover and Quincy

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest provider of retail-based health care centers in the United States, has expanded its Massachusetts-based clinics to 20 with today's opening of two new MinuteClinic locations inside CVS/pharmacy stores in Hanover and Quincy.

The walk-in clinics are located at 207 Rockland Street in Hanover and 600 Southern Artery in Quincy and are open seven days a week with no appointment necessary.  MinuteClinic has seven additional locations on the South Shore inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Fall River, Plymouth, Taunton and Weymouth.  Additional Massachusetts MinuteClinic locations are:  Ashland, Beverly, Cambridge, Danvers, Franklin, Maynard, Medford, Medway, Natick, Tewksbury and Westford.

"Since opening our first store-based clinic in Massachusetts in 2008, we have helped to expand access to high-quality, convenient and affordable care to thousands of residents who have visited us at convenient CVS/pharmacy 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 committed to working with the medical community in Massachusetts to build on the state's precedent-setting efforts to broaden access to quality health services."  

MinuteClinic has had more than 50,000 patient visits in Massachusetts (not including flu shot visits) in less than two years.  

MinuteClinic walk-in clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners who are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, Hepatitis A & B and pneumonia are also provided for adults ages 18 and older. Flu vaccines are offered throughout the season for patients 24 months and older.  A collaborating physician (medical director) is on call during all hours of operation.

No appointments are required at MinuteClinic and most health insurance is accepted. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted outside each health care center and on www.minuteclinic.com . The cost for most treatment is $62. MinuteClinic only serves patients over the age of 24 months in Massachusetts.

MinuteClinic nurse 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.

For patients without a primary care provider, MinuteClinic offers information on nearby primary care practices accepting new patients.  About 70 percent of patients seen at MinuteClinic locations in Massachusetts do not identify a primary care provider.

MinuteClinic is an ideal solution for working parents who cannot afford time away from the workplace. MinuteClinic locations in Massachusetts are open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

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 approximately 500 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to patient needs, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than seven 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 the national guidelines established for store-based clinics.  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 .

MinuteClinic health care centers in Massachusetts are operated by MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts, LLC

SOURCE MinuteClinic