MinuteClinic Becomes Participating Provider in All CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Plans
June 24 2009 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
MINNEAPOLIS, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and
largest provider of retail health care in the United States,
announced that it has become a participating provider in all
insurance plans offered by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in
Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. CareFirst is the
largest health care insurer in the mid-Atlantic region.
MinuteClinic was previously a participating provider with
CareFirst's preferred provider and federal employee plans in
Maryland only. Nearly 3.4 million CareFirst members now have
in-network access to MinuteClinic health care centers located
inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Maryland and portions of
northern Virginia in the CareFirst service area. "This is an
important development in the growth of our business in Maryland and
Northern Virginia as we expand access to care to new customers,"
said Chip Phillips, MinuteClinic president. "By offering high
quality treatment in a convenient setting, we are working with
CareFirst to help reduce health care insurance expenses for its
members as well as time spent away from members' families and the
workplace." MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by
masters-prepared, board-certified nurse practitioners who
specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat
and write prescriptions when clinically indicated for common family
illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and
bronchial infections. Common vaccinations such as influenza,
tetanus and Hepatitis A are also available. MinuteClinic retail
locations are open seven days a week. No appointment is necessary.
MinuteClinic nurse practitioners utilize nationally recognized
medical protocols to diagnose and treat health conditions. With the
patient's consent, treatment information is shared with his or her
primary care physician to facilitate continuity of care. In
addition, patients can also download their MinuteClinic visit
summary to an electronic personal health record. About CareFirst
BlueCross BlueShield In its 72nd year of service, CareFirst, an
independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association,
is a not-for-profit health care organization which, through its
affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of
health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3.4
million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of
Columbia and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment
initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports
efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and
quality of health care throughout its market areas. For more
information, visit http://www.carefirst.com/. About MinuteClinic
Minneapolis-based MinuteClinic is a subsidiary of CVS Caremark
Corporation (NYSE:CVS), the No. 1 provider of prescriptions and
related health care services in the nation. 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
about 500 locations in 25 states. By creating a health care
delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes
access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans.
The company has generated more than 4 million patient visits, with
a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating. A recognized leader in
the patient-centric health care movement, MinuteClinic consistently
brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for
clinical quality that exceed the national guidelines established
for store-based clinics by the American Medical Association (AMA)
and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MinuteClinic
is the first retail health care provider to receive accreditation
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
http://www.minuteclinic.com/. DATASOURCE: MinuteClinic CONTACT:
Brent Burkhardt for MinuteClinic, +1-410-986-1303, , or Christine
Cramer for CVS Caremark, +1-401-770-3317, Web Site:
http://www.minuteclinic.com/
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