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 ClinicSM (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
© Philip W Lee, www.health-insurance.com, www.healthplantalk.com
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