Retail Operations Expand Beyond Quick Care In Many Markets

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that the down economy has resulted in a proliferation of retail health clinic services in many regions of the country. Still, such clinics are not widespread in Texas or New York state. For example, according to the recent San Antonio Market Overview, Texas state laws require, for urban areas, the on-site presence of physicians for at least 20 percent of operating hours, often making the cost of operating a retail clinic too high to maintain. And in New York, there is a regulation that forces retail health clinics in the state to be owned and operated by an outside entity that is separate from the retailer. Changing this law is a priority of the Retail Council of New York state, according to the recent Buffalo Market Overview.

Retail clinics offer accessible and affordable healthcare in a retail setting, and are often staffed by nurse practitioners. While there are a limited number of retail clinics in Texas and New York, other markets are seeing significant growth in this sector, possibly due to physician shortages, increasing use of high-deductible health plans and higher copays that have become more common during the recession. Additionally, in many markets, retail healthcare operations are expanding beyond quick-care, and offering expanded services and wellness programs. Examples highlighted in recent Market Overview reports include:

• In Omaha, Neb., Hy-Vee supermarkets and Amber Pharmacy formed a partnership that will allow patients to obtain all of their pharmacy needs -- including specialty drugs and medication therapy management services -- through a single source of contact. Each patient is assigned a healthcare team to develop an individualized plan for conditions including oncology, blood disorders, Crohn's disease, hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.
• In North Carolina, Kerr Drug, a regional pharmacy chain, opened a community healthcare center in Chapel Hill which has five private exam rooms and offers services such as immunizations, medication therapy management, patient education and community health and wellness programs. The drugstore chain also offers comprehensive wellness programs for employers, municipalities and insurers.

"Accessibility and affordability make retail clinics an attractive option for patients, and the shift toward consumer-driven health plans that typically cover retail clinic services provides a favorable environment for continued growth in the retail clinic sector," said Carolyn McMeekin, director, market overview analysis for HealthLeaders-InterStudy. "The expanded services some of these outlets provide, such as patient education and wellness programs, are also making them an attractive partner for employers, who will better maintain their own healthcare costs in the long run if patients adhere to medication and treatment regimens, especially for chronic conditions."

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SOURCE HealthLeaders-InterStudy