Retail Healthcare News

The giant retailer said Thursday it is expanding its in-store clinic network and plans to open its first co-branded clinics this spring at Supercenter stores in Atlanta, Little Rock and Dallas.

“The Clinic at Wal-Mart” outlets will be run in association with local hospital systems, the company said.

Specific metro Atlanta locations and hospital partners weren’t disclosed in Thursday’s announcement.

Wal-Mart said it expects to have 400 “Clinic at Wal-Mart” outlets by 2010, calling the move “further proof of Wal-Mart’s commitment to providing affordable, accessible solutions to America’s health care challenges.”

Wal-Mart said RediClinic, a chain of walk-in clinics that now has its own outlets at Wal-Marts in three states, will be a partner at 200 of the new outlets, including those in metro Atlanta.

Under a pilot program started in 2005, Wal-Mart already has 77 in-store clinics in 12 states, but none in Georgia. It leases space to various operators and does not operate any clinics itself.

But the business model remains unproven, and the expanded partnership and co-branding effort comes after clinic operator CheckUps last month ran out of money and closed clinics at 23 Wal-Marts, The New York Times reported.

The company said its “Clinic at Wal-Mart” outlets will offer treatment of “common ailments” such as sore throats, sinus infections and earaches, along with preventive care including health screenings, tests, vaccinations and basic physicals. It said care will be provided by “licensed, certified providers who diagnose, treat, and when appropriate, prescribe medications.”

Wal-Mart said clinics operated by RediClinic will accept health insurance plans including Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield and others.

In-store medical clinics have appeared at other retailers in recent years, most notably the CVS and Walgreens chains. Typical customers are young mothers with runny-nosed children who want convenience and a short wait. Wal-Mart told The New York Times that about 55 percent of patients at its in-store clinics do not have health insurance.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Original Publication Date: February 8, 2008