SSM Health to operate retail clinics at 27 St. Louis area Walgreens stores
DEERFIELD, Ill. & ST. LOUIS -- Walgreens has signed an agreement with SSM Health to allow SSM Health to own and operate 27 retail health clinics within Walgreens stores across the St. Louis region, the companies announced Monday.
The clinics will transition to SSM Health this fall, at which time the clinics will become an extension of the SSM Health Medical Group. Upon transition, the sites will be renamed SSM Health Express Clinic at Walgreens. Walgreens will continue to manage the existing Walgreens Healthcare Clinics in these locations until that time.
“This collaboration is an important step in SSM Health’s commitment to improving the health of our community,” said James Bleicher, MD, regional president of the SSM Health Medical Group and ambulatory services in St. Louis. “By combining the convenience of Walgreens locations with the personalized care and expertise of the SSM Health Medical Group, we will provide a seamless health care experience for our patients. This means care that is truly integrated whether you visit an SSM Health physician, hospital, urgent care or Express Clinic at Walgreens.”
As part of the agreement, Walgreens and SSM Health will form a joint council to share best practices and experiences that improve patient care, quality and satisfaction while reducing health care costs.
“Today’s announcement is another example of how providers can work together to help improve population health while helping to ensure a continuum of care for patients in the community,” said Pat Carroll, MD, chief medical officer for Walgreens Healthcare Clinics. “This also demonstrates the value of deeper health system collaborations which can facilitate the transition of retail health clinics from urgent, episodic care to more coordinated care.”
Walgreens is a provider of pharmacy services for SSM Health patients and employees and the two organizations will explore opportunities to integrate other Walgreens services as part of the broader collaboration.
SSM Health Express Clinics at Walgreens will operate seven days a week, including evenings, which gives patients the option to access a variety of health care services without an appointment.