CVS MinuteClinic and Emory Healthcare Expand Partnership to Boost Primary Care Access in Georgia

CVS Health's MinuteClinic and Emory Healthcare have announced an expansion of their long-standing partnership, aiming to enhance primary care accessibility in Georgia. This collaboration comes as a response to the growing demand for convenient healthcare services and the ongoing shortage of primary care providers in the region.

Extended In-Network Services

The expanded partnership will allow members of the Emory Healthcare Network to access in-network primary care services at MinuteClinic locations throughout Georgia. This strategic move is designed to provide patients with more options for accessing primary care, ultimately driving better health outcomes and increasing engagement with the health system.

Patrick Hammond, CEO of Emory Healthcare Network, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "We felt this was a really good opportunity to expand primary care in a different way to our community." The collaboration leverages MinuteClinic's extensive reach, with 35 locations across Georgia offering same-day visits, evening and weekend hours, and virtual services.

Targeting Underserved Populations

Creagh Milford, president of retail health at CVS Health, highlighted that MinuteClinics primarily serve younger, healthier patients with unique expectations for healthcare interactions. "What we've found in CVS surveys over and over is patients want access and convenience," Milford explained. "And, if you offer those things in a primary care model, patients will engage in the model and MinuteClinic."

The partnership aims to capture a significant portion of the population that either lacks a primary care physician (PCP) or hasn't seen one in an extended period. By offering convenient access points, MinuteClinic and Emory Healthcare hope to engage these individuals in regular preventive care and chronic disease management.

Integrated Care Model

Patients visiting MinuteClinics for primary care will benefit from a comprehensive healthcare experience. The partnership grants access to Emory's hospitals, specialists, and diagnostic and laboratory services. Both organizations utilize the Epic electronic health record system, facilitating seamless information sharing across different patient interactions.

The primary care model at MinuteClinic focuses on prevention, routine maintenance visits, chronic care management, and critical screenings. Additionally, MinuteClinic has invested significantly in behavioral health services, allowing for the integration of mental health support into the patient care experience.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this between retail clinics and traditional healthcare systems may become increasingly common, offering patients more options for accessible and convenient primary care services.