Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Clinic at Walmart to open in Republic


Today, Walmart and CoxHealth announced a second location of “The Clinic at Walmart” operated by CoxHealth, to be located in the Republic Walmart supercenter, 1150 US Hwy. 60 East. This convenient care clinic will open Monday, May 4. The location will offer the same fast, affordable access to basic health care services available at the Springfield location – check-ups, immunizations, screenings, treatment of minor injuries and more.

“We’ve seen a great demand for services at our South Campbell location. In the first month of operation, we treated nearly 600 patients, from 76 different zip codes and 8 different states,” says Tom Luthy, administrative director of CoxHealth Regional Services. “We know the need for the type of affordable, accessible care offered by these clinics extends beyond Springfield, and we are excited to meet those needs by opening this clinic in Republic and others in the coming months.”

Many of the patients seen at the clinic in Springfield have been sick enough to need care, but not necessarily ill enough to warrant a visit to the emergency department or urgent care clinic. A visit to “The Clinic at Walmart” operated by CoxHealth, however, serves as an option for many who might otherwise postpone or avoid care. Luthy says the patients he’s spoken with are grateful for the retail clinic option and appreciate the upfront pricing.

“This is really the right time for this – it’s meeting a need we didn’t know was as big as it is,” says Luthy. “We’re seeing people who might have no insurance or who can’t afford other options. It’s not the convenience; it’s the access and affordability that people really need. Bringing this model beyond Springfield will greatly increase the number of people we’re able to serve.”

The clinics offer prompt access to affordably priced acute and preventive care for common health ailments treatable without urgent or emergency care, including sore throats, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, earaches, bladder infections, insect bites and stings, cholesterol screening, blood sugar testing, vaccinations, drug screening and routine physicals. They are open for walk-in service seven days a week, including nights and weekends. Walmart has 32 in-store clinics in eight states.

For further information about “The Clinic at Walmart”, please visit www.walmart.com/clinics. For more information about CoxHealth, please visit www.coxhealth.com