Mini-Clinics To Open in Longs Drugs Stores Statewide
WellnessExpress Medical Clinic plans to open 32 mini-clinics in Longs Drugs Stores across the state by the end of 2006, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Clinics will be staffed by nurse practitioners or physician's assistants, who will work under the supervision of a doctor available for telephone consultations.
Costs at the clinics -- $54 for a minor medical treatment -- will be slightly less than care for minor problems at a doctor's office and could be as much as half the cost of an emergency department visit, according to the Mercury News. Some health plans will cover a portion of the clinic fees.
Clinics will operate on a walk-in basis for minor injuries and routine medical tests. Staff will be able to diagnose and treat certain types of illnesses, prescribe medications and perform routine medical tests. Patients whose medical needs exceed services provided will be referred to their primary care physician or ED.
Paul Kaufmann, president and founder of WellnessExpress, said the firm is the first California-based group to open health clinics in retail stores (Chandler, San Jose Mercury News, 11/19).