New Fla. BCBS illustrates clinic-model potential

TAMPA, Fla. —Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida opened in January a walk-in retail location across from WestShore Plaza shopping mall in Tampa, Fla., but what’s really interesting is that it could serve as a prototype for future BCBS locations, according to a local news report. Is this a glimpse of a new clinic model?

The 5,000-sq.-ft. BCBS location currently is set up as a customer-service center where consultants are on hand to answer questions, and nurses are available to offer basic physical exams, flu shots and basic cholesterol tests, according to the report. The location could eventually evolve into a small clinic.

According to the report, the Tampa location could serve as a template for BCBS, as BCBS divisions across the country have come to see the prototype and are looking to open their own locations.

The insurance giant also has Florida Blue retail locations in Jacksonville and Pembroke Pines, with other locations slated to open this year in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and a second location in Jacksonville.