The first MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Wisconsin are now open inside four CVS/pharmacy stores in Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and Waukesha. MinuteClinic also expects to open a fifth location in Whitefish Bay in December, as well as two clinics in Fox Point and Kenosha in early 2015.
MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health, is the largest and fastest growing provider of walk-in clinics in the U.S, with locations in 31 states and the District of Columbia.
“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,” said Dr. Andrew Sussman, MinuteClinic president and CVS Health senior vice president/associate chief medical officer. “By increasing access to high quality, affordable care at convenient clinic locations, MinuteClinic can help support the primary care medical home in Wisconsin.”
MinuteClinic nurse practitioners specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia and Hepatitis A & B are available at most locations. Walk-in camp, sports and college physicals are available daily.
In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help patients identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health, including screenings and monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
At the conclusion of each visit, MinuteClinic practitioners give the patient a visit summary, educational material and a prescription (when clinically appropriate). A diagnostic record is sent via electronic health record, fax or mail to the patient’s primary care provider with permission.
Sussman says MinuteClinic is committed to helping patients find a medical home and believes it can play a complementary role in working with primary care providers.
“About 50 percent of our visits occur on evenings, weekends and holidays when patients may not be able to get an appointment with their primary care provider,” Sussman said. “And about half of the patients we see at MinuteClinic do not have a personal physician.”
Patients who visit MinuteClinic without a primary care physician are provided a list of physicians in the area who are accepting new patients.
“MinuteClinic also has affiliations with 47 major health systems around the country, with joint clinical programs and integration of electronic medical records,” Sussman said.
The MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics in Wisconsin operate from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
No appointment is necessary, and most major health insurance is accepted. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each clinic and on www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most services starts at $79.
The clinics now open are at: N83 W15550 Appleton Ave. in Menomonee Falls; 1650 Farwell Ave. in Milwaukee; 3860 S. 27th St. in Milwaukee; and 1130 W. Sunset Drive in Waukesha.
The Whitefish Bay location opening in December is located at 240 E. Hampton Road. The locations opening in early 2015 are at 8661 N. Port Washington Road in Fox Point and 3710 57th Ave. in Kenosha.
