AMC/NOMA Expresses Concerns Regarding 'Minute Clinics'

In response to recent news of several mini "medical clinics" being incorporated within a number of stores in the CVS Pharmacy chain in southern Ohio (with plans to expand statewide), the AMC/NOMA crafted a letter this week to the corporation's President and CEO that included a pointed list of questions regarding these new offerings to the public. Questions such as-How is continuity of care maintained? Do 'minute clinic' providers consider themselves primary or urgent care providers? And how do they communicate with existing PCPs regarding treatment and follow-up? were among those raised as well as the issues of HIPAA, self-referral implications with an on-site CVS pharmacy, and even issues of the public health. But of chief concern, wrote Dr. Kikano on behalf of the board of directors, was the issue of continuity of patient care. "When care is disrupted, negative outcomes can become very real…(and) could include disruption in the physician/patient relationship; the issue of referring physicals and non-urgent lab work back to the primary care physician and the risk of duplication of services which will increase the costs and could be harmful to the patient." A response was requested and the AMC/NOMA will keep members apprised of any further information as it becomes available.