Two of four planned CVS’ walk-in clinics open in Springfield

CVS Health’s (NYSE: CVS) medical walk-in clinic division today opened the second of four planned retail clinics in Springfield by year’s end.

Called MinuteClinics, the opening inside CVS at 1153 E. Elm St. is part of an aggressive strategy that’s led to 1,000 clinics across 33 states. The publicly traded company launched the concept in 2000.

Already operating 16 clinics in Kansas City and five in St. Louis, MinuteClinic officials say they’re investing in Springfield to offer alternative, and in some cases complementary, care to patients in the CoxHealth and Mercy networks.

“We don't want to replace the primary care physician model. We don’t want to be the only care the patient receives,” said Natalie Lickteig, MinuteClinic’s practice manager for Missouri, before today’s opening. “We really try to be the support system to the medical home they already have in place.”

MinuteClinic officials say the student and underinsured populations are common customers, and about half don’t have primary care providers. Serving the bulk of patients in evenings and on weekends, officials say they’re filling a retail health clinic void in the market. The clinics are open seven days a week and until 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.

A third MinuteClinic in Springfield, 3045 W. Republic Road, is scheduled to open to patients Nov. 18 and a fourth, at 1220 E. Republic Road, is on the docket in December. MinuteClinic officials declined to disclose the company’s planned investment in Springfield. They’ve hired nine providers and expect to employ 16 in full- and part-time positions when the four clinics are up and running.

“Targeted expansion into markets like Springfield brings high-quality, convenient and affordable health care services to community members,” said MinuteClinic President Dr. Andrew Sussman in a news release. “We face a significant shortage in primary care providers, an aging baby boomer population and the addition of millions of newly insured patients through the Affordable Care Act.”

According to the release, MinuteClinic nurse practitioners specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses, such as strep throat and sinus infections. Other treatments include minor wounds, abrasions and joint sprains, and common vaccinations. The costs for most services start in the $80 to $100 range, the release said.

“You have more and more patients these days with high deductible insurance plans, so they’re a little more price conscious,” said MinuteClinic spokesman Brent Burkhardt. “We’re not trying to replace the physician, but for a simple flu shot or a basic service, it might be a better alternative for some.”