More Patients Are Visiting Retail Clinics

Retail clinics are playing a growing role in health care delivery, according to a study from Walgreens. Patients are relying more on nurse practitioners at retail clinics to provide chronic and preventive health services. The study also reveals marked increases in the number of patients who are making return visits to clinics. Visits to healthcare clinics for preventive services, screening, and chronic care increased from 4% in 2007 to 17% in 2013. The annual percentage of return patient visits to Healthcare Clinic climbed from 15% in 2007 to more than 50% in 2012 and 2013. For patients age 17 and under, visits for preventive services and vaccinations increased 180% For patients ages 18 to 64, visits for health testing increased 90% while preventive health service visits increased 66%. Acute visits increased 84% for patients 65 and older. The Convenient Care Association estimates that 33% of Americans live within 10 minutes of a retail healthcare clinic. Walgreens has increased the variety of services at select Walgreens clinics from providing vaccinations to diagnosing and treating a number of chronic conditions. Clinics at select locations are open seven days a week, with extended evening and weekend hours, and offer walk-in service. Healthcare Clinics accept most major insurance plans and Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable, transparent pricing for those without insurance coverage. Healthcare Clinic’s board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants deliver patient-centric care, driving patient satisfaction rates that are consistently greater than 90%. For more information, visit www.walgreens.com.