Select Rite Aid stores in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas will have walk-in clinics this summer, thanks to a collaboration between the drugstore chain, MedStar Health and Consumer Health Service, Inc.
The collaboration is part of a trend of walk-in clinics that are designed to lower healthcare costs by providing outpatient services, preventing disease and reducing visits to the emergency room.
The Mid-Atlantic's largest hospital and healthcare provider, MedStar will be working with Rite Aid and CHS, a manager of on-site physician-staffed health clinics.
"Our agreement with MedStar Health and Rite Aid is an important milestone for our vision of what a truly integrated retail-based health care delivery model should look like to address episodic care needs outside of an ER," said James D'Orta, MD, chairman of Consumer Health Services. "This collaboration will help ensure that patients treated at MedStar PromptCare sites will have access to immediate, high-quality health care."
Patients will be able to pay with cash, credit card or, for most major health insurance plans, their insurance co-pay. Clinic hours will mirror those of the pharmacy.
Eric Wagner, senior vice president of managed care at MedStar Health, said the clinics will provide an "uncomplicated price structure" with four to five levels of charge, depending on the nature of the visit.
MedStar Health will provide clinical oversight and ensure access to necessary follow-up specialty and acute medical services for the clinics.
MedStar PromptCare clinics will be staffed by physicians to provide treatment for most commonly occurring ailments such as strep throat, flu and urinary tract infections, minor injuries such as lacerations, sprains and minor fractures, and health and wellness screenings and vaccinations.
"MedStar PromptCare clinics will provide our customers and community with accessible, high-quality medical care in a convenient setting," said Mark de Bruin, Rite Aid's executive vice president of pharmacy services. "These in-store health clinics offer services that complement the medication counseling and care provided by our pharmacists. It's a great combination and clearly supports Rite Aid's focus on health and wellness."
MedStar PromptCare physicians will be credentialed by and have admitting privileges to MedStar Health's hospitals such as Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., Montgomery General Hospital in Montgomery County, Md., and Franklin Square Hospital Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Harbor Hospital and Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.
The roll-out will begin with four clinics, said Wagner, and then, depending how successful the clinics are, more will follow. He added that these areas were chosen because of their high-density population, as well as accessibility and convenience.
"This partnership is an evolution of the retail healthcare delivery system," said Christine M. Swearingen, senior vice president for corporate strategy and business development of MedStar Health. "MedStar PromptCare will offer patients an efficient continuum of care if they require further medical attention. By giving patients direct access to physicians, MedStar PromptCare clinics will provide an alternative to emergency rooms and urgent care centers for immediate medical services for non-emergency illnesses and injuries."
The clinics are expected to have secure electronic access to MedStar Health's patient information system to ensure continuity of care.