An Innovation in Health Care Opens at CVS/pharmacy Stores in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MinuteClinic (http://www.minuteclinic.com/), the pioneer and largest provider of retail- based health care in the United States, has opened four new health care centers at CVS/pharmacy stores in the Pittsburgh area. MinuteClinic plans to open up to six additional health care centers in the area by the end of the year.

MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by master's-prepared, board- certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. MinuteClinic also offers common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B.

MinuteClinic is open Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sat.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be found inside the following CVS/pharmacy locations:

-- Aliquippa, 2719 Brodhead Rd. -- Mt. Lebanon, 328 Cochran Rd. -- Pittsburgh, 5242 Clairton Blvd. -- Wexford, 11240 Perry Highway

Because examinations typically take 10-15 minutes and no appointment is necessary, MinuteClinic is an ideal solution for professionals and working parents who cannot afford time away from the workplace.

"MinuteClinic health care centers are an answer to consumers' overwhelming demand for more patient-centric health care," said Michael Howe, chief executive officer for MinuteClinic. "As more patients look to take control of their health care options, we provide a fast, convenient and affordable service for common maladies that is available seven days a week."

MinuteClinic is in-network with the following insurers for patients in the Pittsburgh area: Aetna, Assurant Health, CIGNA, ChoiceCare Network (PPO) - Humana affiliate, Humana, Great-West Healthcare, Devon Health Services, and UnitedHealthCare. MinuteClinic will accept as payment the office visit co-pay indicated on the patient's insurance card. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted outside each health care center. Most treatments cost $59.

"MinuteClinic offers customers convenient, high quality health care services and is a natural extension of our mission to improve the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access," said Chris Bodine, executive vice president of CVS Caremark Corporation and president of CVS Caremark Health Care Services. "Along with its reputation for high quality health care, MinuteClinic has proven its ability to work collaboratively with physicians in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of patients."

To ensure quality and personal attention for patients, MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by board-certified practitioners with college degrees and graduate-level training in family health care. Nurse practitioners work in collaboration with physicians and may prescribe medication when it is part of the treatment plan. Kristen Morgan, nurse practitioner and manager of operations, oversees MinuteClinic locations in the Pittsburgh area.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners use a software program that at the conclusion of each visit generates educational material, an invoice and a prescription (when clinically appropriate) for the patient, as well as a diagnostic record that is automatically sent to the patient's primary care provider's office. A collaborating physician (medical director) is on call during all hours of operation.

Every MinuteClinic patient assessment and treatment follows nationally established clinical practice guidelines from the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics that are embedded in MinuteClinic's electronic medical records system.

Individuals with illnesses outside MinuteClinic's scope of services or who exhibit signs of a chronic condition are referred to their physician or, if critical, the nearest urgent care or emergency room. Patients who can't be treated are not charged for their visit. MinuteClinic only serves patients over the age of 18 months.

MinuteClinic's services are a complement to primary care providers. MinuteClinic nurse practitioners stress the importance of a regular medical exam with every patient they see. If the individual doesn't have a medical home, they provide a list of physicians in the area who are accepting new patients.

MinuteClinic Treatments: (most services cost $59 or an insurance co-pay) Common Illnesses - Allergies (ages 6+) $59 - Pink Eye & Styes $59 - Bladder Infections (Female, ages 12-65) $69 - Bronchitis (ages 10-65) $59 - Ear Infections $59 - Strep Throat (additional lab charges may apply) $69 - Sinus Infections (ages 5+) $59 - Swimmer's Ear $59 Additional Services - Flu Diagnosis (ages 10-65) $93 - Mononucleosis $69 - Suture removal $59 - Camp physicals (select areas only) $25 - Pregnancy Testing $49 Skin Conditions - Athlete's Foot $59 - Cold Sores $59 - Deer Tick Bites (ages 12+) $59 - Impetigo $59 - Minor Burns $59 - Minor Sunburn $59 - Poison Ivy (ages 3+) $59 - Wart Removal (ages 5+) $69 - Deer Tick Bites (ages 12+) $59 - Minor Skin Infections & Rashes $59 - Ringworm $59

Vaccines: (Prices vary; vaccines generally have a $0 co-pay for most insurance plans)

- DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) $65 - Flu (seasonal) $30 - Hepatitis A (adult) $85 - Hepatitis A (child) $54 - Hepatitis B (adult) $65 - Hepatitis B (child) $50 - Meningitis $110 - MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) $65 - Pneumonia $30 - Polio (IPV) $80 - Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) $45 - Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) $60 About MinuteClinic

Minneapolis-based MinuteClinic is a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corporation , 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 more than 275 locations across the country. 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 one million patient visits, with a 99 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 and only 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/

MinuteClinic health care centers in Pennsylvania are operated by MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania, LLC