Focus on chronic care increases patient visits

While the first retail clinics began to enter chronic disease management going back as early as 2010, these efforts have been ramped up considerably in recent years as payers look more aggressively to lower costs and health systems look to drive improved patient outcomes.

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“Retailers are increasing their service offerings to include health screenings and chronic care programs,” noted the April 2015 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report, “Building a culture of health: The value proposition of retail clinics.”



The report noted several key examples, including the following:



CVS MinuteClinic: Diabetes management services, including, glucose, hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, weight management, and foot exams, as well as asthma maintenance therapy. In addition, the RWJF report also noted a partnership between MinuteClinic and Emory Healthcare to develop a series of protocols for hypertension evaluation, treatment and management to be used at Emory and MinuteClinic.



Walgreens Health Clinics: Assessment and management for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and asthma.



ShopRite/QCare Clinic: Operates a behavioral health-screening kiosk in a store in an underserved Philadelphia community to help identify potential at-risk patients and provide referrals as needed.



“The increased focus on chronic care has resulted in a rise in the percentage of visits for screening and management of chronic conditions at [Walgreens Healthcare Clinics] from 4% in 2007 to 17% in 2013,” noted the RWJF report.