Last week I had posted about the new Minute Clinic openings in the Los Angeles area. Today I just happened to be driving down the road and came across one of the new clinics that opened last week in Orange County, so I decided to stop in and take a look. I was greeted by the Physician Assistant on staff who was friendly and very informative. There is a waiting area where you sign in along with a touch screen computer where you can also enter information. Being this was not a "sick" visit for me, I proceeded to just basically look around and check things out. Above the sign in area was an illuminated sign that listed the services offered, along with the prices for each. Flu shots were #30.00 and most of the other services were all less than $100.00 and varied according to the procedure or type of visit. I took a brochure with me that basically outlines the services offered along with additional general information. There were 2 examining rooms available, but again, being this was not a "sick" visit, I remained in the lobby area.
I was also impressed with the number of common vaccines available. One item of note though, is that the clinics are not set up to be a primary physician for patients, but rather a service to compliment what is offered from a primary MD, for items such as vaccines, flu symptoms, minor burn treatment, etc. The clinic was located right next door to the pharmacy in the CVS store. Over all it was impressive and can easily serve to help remove congestion for some items that are not urgent from the ER rooms at hospitals in the area. This clinic just opened last week and was only a few days in operation, but they had already had patients coming in. You can also access information from the website on pricing and insurance coverage. Minute Clinic is in-network with most of the major insurance companies in Orange County and co-pays vary depending of course on your individual plan and if you don't have insurance coverage the services schedule is very reasonable, enough to keep you out of the ER room if for example you have an ear infection ($59.00) or flu diagnosis ($93.00) as a couple quick examples and need care. All locations are set up using electronic medical records designed for Minute Clinics.
One word to physicians in the nearby locations of these clinics would be to perhaps get your name added to a referral list for those patients seen at the clinics who do not have a primary MD established. BD
Original Post: http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/10/cvspharmacy-stores-in-los-angeles-metro.html
Website: http://www.minuteclinic.com/en/USA/
Minute clinics in So. Cali are staffed by Nurse Practitioners, no PA's.
ReplyDeleteThank you for catching this....appreciate it.
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