BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Jan. 3, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Treatment for common ailments is about to get easier for CIGNA HealthCare members. Beginning February 1, 2006, members in select locations who develop routine ailments such as strep throat or pink eye will be able to access care at MinuteClinic health care centers located in convenient retail outlets, including Target, CVS/pharmacy, Bartell Drugs and Cub Foods stores. MinuteClinic health care centers operate today in Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Washington. MinuteClinic plans to open new health care centers in several additional states over the next twelve months.
CIGNA HealthCare’s relationship with MinuteClinic supports a health care marketplace where consumers can make decisions based on service, price and quality. “Because of today’s increasingly busy schedules, members have told us they want flexible hours, convenience, quick and affordable access to a clinician, and more choices in how they handle minor medical conditions,” said Dr. Allen Woolf, a pediatrician and national medical executive for CIGNA HealthCare.
MinuteClinic health care centers are open seven days a week with weekday evening hours. No appointment is necessary and patient visits usually take about 15 minutes. With the member’s permission, treatment and screening results are shared with the member’s primary care physician to help ensure that a member’s medical record is kept up-to-date and that any needed follow- up treatment can be developed by the primary care physician. “Members have the added peace of mind of knowing that a record of their care at a MinuteClinic is sent to their primary care physician,” added Dr. Woolf.
The ease and convenience of a MinuteClinic is particularly ideal for employees who have traditionally had to take time off from work to see their physician about minor or common ailments. “Having MinuteClinic close by has helped improve productivity and raised employees’ satisfaction with their benefit plan,” commented Raymond Brusca, vice president of benefits for Black & Decker. “What used to require an employee taking a half day or more off of work is now a 20-minute trip next door.” Black & Decker employee James Downing agrees, “I had an upper-respiratory infection and was able to go to MinuteClinic, be checked out by a health care professional, and walk out with the prescription I needed. The flexible hours also mean that I can go after work or on weekends when my doctor’s office is closed.”
“MinuteClinic health care centers are overseen by physicians and staffed by certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Practitioners use nationally established protocols in diagnosing and treating dozens of common health conditions, such as ear or sinus infections,” explained Dr. James Woodburn, MinuteClinic Chief Medical Officer. “Beyond quality health care and convenience, our patients and their employers also benefit from knowing the cost of the service upfront. Prices are displayed outside the clinic.”
Charges for MinuteClinic visits will be handled the same as primary care physician office visits. Most services at MinuteClinic health care centers are provided for between $49 and $59. Therefore, a member with a 20 percent coinsurance who accesses a service of $49 would pay only $9.80 for a visit, assuming their deductible has been met.
The addition of MinuteClinic health care centers to the CIGNA HealthCare network of providers demonstrates CIGNA HealthCare’s commitment to expanding the company’s broad suite of consumer-focused products and services, which are designed to help members achieve their personal health goals.
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health advocacy. “CIGNA HealthCare” refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation . Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.cigna.com.
MinuteClinic is the pioneer and industry leader of retail-based health care in the United States. Founded in May 2000, the Minneapolis-based company has provided more than 300,000 patient visits with 99 percent customer satisfaction. It has produced substantial savings of health care expenditures and also reduced the time spent by patients seeking treatment for the conditions it addresses. For information, visit http://www.minuteclinic.com.
CIGNA HealthCare
CONTACT: Lindsay Shearer of CIGNA HealthCare, +1-603-268-7721, orlindsay.shearer@cigna.com; or Liz Rossini of MinuteClinic, +1-612-767-1922,or liz.rossini@minuteclinic.com
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