I just learned that Anthem Blue Cross expanded their network of providers to include Retail Health Clinics: small, walk-in clinics located inside retail outlets, like pharmacies and supermarkets.  For those of you on HSA-compatible health plans, this is another way to reduce your medical expenses, leaving more in your tax-free account for retirement.  For more details …

(Below article from Anthem Blue Cross News Flash, 6/3/2010)

Retail Health Clinics: Convenient, Affordable and Easy to Access

We have expanded our network of providers to include retail health clinics: small, walk-in clinics located inside retail outlets, like pharmacies and supermarkets. Retail health clinics offer basic primary care services, including:

• Treatment for common ailments like minor allergic reactions, coughs and sore throats, and minor fevers and colds
• Wellness and prevention services, such as camp physicals, vaccinations, and cholesterol and diabetes screenings

Retail health clinics provide care that saves time and money, offering our members:

Convenience

• Located near where members work, live or shop
• Usually open during the same days and hours as the store (including weekends, evenings and some holidays)
• No appointments necessary
• Most visits take only 15 minutes

Lower costs

• An affordable alternative to higher-cost emergency rooms or urgent care centers

High-quality care

• Staffed by licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are supervised by an onsite or offsite physician
• If needed, they’ll make referrals to a local doctor or hospital for care and can speak with a member’s primary care provider to keep the doctor up to date

Our network includes three of the nation’s largest retail health clinics:

• MinuteClinic^® (select CVS/pharmacy^® stores)
• The Little Clinic (select Kroger^® and Publix^® stores)
• TakeCare Clinic^SM (select Walgreens)

Members can find a nearby retail health clinic online by following these steps:

• Go to anthem.com/ca
• Click on “Find a doctor”
• Choose “Local California providers”
• Enter your member identification number
• Select your plan type
• Select provider type: “Other Health Professionals”
• Select a specialty: Choose “Retail Health Clinics”

Retail health clinics are not included in our HMO networks within the state of California.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Phil Lee

Philip W Lee MBA
Lee Insurance Services   935 Moraga Road, Suite 240, Lafayette, CA 94549
Ph: 925-284-2000   Fax: 925-284-5484   [email protected] www.Health-Insurance.com

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