MinuteClinics doing well in Massachusetts

Just yesterday, we told you about CVS Caremark's plans to close 90 of its MinuteClinic retail clinics for their spring off-season. The move, coming from the retail clinic industry's largest player, immediately raised questions as to whether the entire sector was contracting.

Well, today we share with you the story of MinuteClinics in Massachusetts, which, if these numbers are to be believed, suggest that reports of the retail clinic sector's death have been exaggerated. While CVS Caremark closed many clinics in California and Florida, the company is opening clinics at the rate of two a month here, faster than in any of the 24 other states where it operates them.

The 16 MinuteClinics that have opened so far have treated more than 10,000 patients and given about 10,000 flu shots. This has happened, in part, because the state's three largest health plans cover visits without a physician's referral. CVS Caremark is now negotiating with the state's Medicaid plan to get it to cover MinuteClinic visits.

To learn more about this retail clinic market:
- read this piece in The Boston Globe

Related Articles:
CVS closes 90 MinuteClinics for season
Study: Retail clinic boom may be slowing
MinuteClinic, MDs create health data exchange
Cleveland Clinic, MinuteClinic team up

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