Walk-in, retail health clinics are savings consumers a lot of money over doctor’s office visits, a new study found.
The study looked at MinuteClinics — associated with CVS drugstores — vs. family doctors and the emergency department for the treatment of common ailments, such as sore throats and ear infections.
Reports the Pioneer Press on the study published in the latest issue of the journal Health Affairs:
The total cost of a patient treated at a MinuteClinic for one of five basic illnesses was $51 cheaper on average than a patient treated at urgent care and $55 cheaper than a patient treated by a primary-care doctor. Pharmacy costs were also slightly lower for the patients using MinuteClinics.
The study authors note that 10 clinical problems such as sinusitis and immunizations make up more than 90 percent of retail clinic visits. These same 10 clinical problems make up 13 percent of adult primary care visits, 30 percent of pediatric primary care visits, and 12 percent of emergency department visits.
But then the authors talk about the main issue that really concerns the medical establishment:
Whether there will be a future shift of care from emergency departments or primary care doctors to retail clinics is unknown.