May 9--CVS is opening MinuteClinics in three of its local pharmacies, bringing retail medicine to the Fredericksburg area.
The pharmacy chain is adding walk-in clinics to its stores on Warrenton Road and Chatham Heights Road in southern Stafford County and on Tidewater Trail in Spotsylvania County.
The clinics are inside the stores, beside the pharmacy counter or the photo-processing station. They're expected to open this summer, a company spokesman said.
"We're in the recruitment process. That process will dictate opening times," said Dr. James Hartert, chief medical officer for MinuteClinic.
Retail medicine is new to the Fredericksburg area, but it's been popular and controversial nationwide since the first in-store clinic opened in Minnesota in 2000.
Some doctor groups have opposed the idea. The American Academy of Pediatrics argues that patients do better when they have a "medical home," a doctor who provides continuous, coordinated care.
The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians have adopted guidelines that they believe the clinics should follow.
Last year the AMA also asked for an investigation of what it called "the inherent conflict of interest" that exists when a clinic and pharmacy are housed under one roof.
Despite these objections, retail-based clinics have been popular with consumers, who see them as quick, convenient and affordable.
MinuteClinic is the industry leader, with 520 clinics in 25 states, including 19 clinics in Northern Virginia and Richmond.
MinuteClinic is a wholly owned subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corporation, a national chain based in Rhode Island. Rite Aid, Walgreens and Wal-Mart also have clinics inside some of their stores.
MinuteClinic employs nurse practitioners who treat minor illnesses, do screenings and give shots.
"Most of what we see is ear infections, sore throat, pink eye, sinusitis and bronchitis," Hartert said.
The clinics are open evenings and weekends. Patients do not need appointments, and most visits take 15 minutes or less.
MinuteClinic treats adults and children older than 18 months. Prices posted include $59 for treatment of bronchitis and $60 for the Tdap, or tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, shot.
In the Richmond area, MinuteClinic is an in-network provider with Medicare and 16 insurance plans. However, it does not accept Medicaid and is not an in-network provider for Anthem, the state's largest health insurer.
MinuteClinic says that with permission, it sends a copy of the patient's file to the patient's doctor. However, about a third of its customers do not have primary-care doctors, Hartert said.
The company also says that it discourages patients with chronic conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, from seeking care with its providers.
"We don't pretend to be a medical home," Hartert said.
Hartert expressed frustration with critics of retail medicine. The clinics deliver convenient care, adhere to best medical practices and cost less, he said.
"All of those are pillars of good health-care reform," he said. "To have people object to what's good is disappointing."
Staff librarian Craig Schulin contributed to this story.
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