Stealthy mobile screening firm goes retail

Last month we reported on the rise of retail clinics and the competition they pose for traditional medicine. Patients are lured by low flat rates, easy access and short wait times. Now another form of straightforward, inexpensive healthcare has come to our attention. Winter Park, FL-based Healthfair USA, which bills itself as the "next generation of preventive medicine," provides basic diagnostic testing such as EKGs, ASI tests, echocardiogram ultrasounds for a flat rate--and they do all from a fleet of 13 buses that reach 85 markets throughout the nation.  They're hiring clinical techs aggressively in several major U.S. cities.

This month, Healthfair has launched a big newspaper ad campaign to consumers to promote its services. Perhaps they've taken note of all the attention retail clinics have been getting lately and want in on the action. It certainly seems like health screening services could work hand-in-hand with retail clinics. Preventative care often falls by the wayside when a patient is uninsured. Clinics cover acute symptoms, but mobile screening services seems to cover some of that critical gap--treating patients before they're sick. Sounds like a natural compliment to the existing retail clinic explosion.

According to Dun & Bradstreet, Healthfair generates less than $2 million per year and has only 20 employees, which hints at there being some significant private funding behind the otherwise low-profile company. I, for one, would like to know who's funding Healthfair, as their plans seem far, far bigger than their income. But the company's Web site doesn't offer so much as a hint as to where the expansion dollars are coming from. If you know more, please feel free to drop me a line.

- check out Healthfair USA's Web site

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