MinuteClinic’s Evolution as a Health Care Disruptor

It’s no secret that the health care industry has shifted over the years. From retail clinics to telehealth, innovation has taken a front seat in creating new ways for people to receive care. And, for the last 20 years, we’ve been at the forefront of many of these changes – redefining health care as we know it! As the largest retail health clinic in the U.S., MinuteClinic has been and remains committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable for everyone.

?Founded in 2000 as QuickMedx, convenient care has always been MinuteClinic’s goal. The first-ever clinic in Minneapolis offered just seven services: treatment for strep throat, mono and flu, as well as bladder, ear and sinus infections. Pregnancy testing was also available. And, as demand for walk-in convenience grew, MinuteClinic also grew – launching on the East coast and then across the country. CVS acquired MinuteClinic in 2006 and with accessibility at the center of our model, we’ve expanded to more than 1,100 locations in 35 states and Washington, DC – offering services that include diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses, injuries and skin conditions; administration of vaccinations, women’s health services, health screenings and physicals; and monitoring for chronic conditions.

In addition to expanding services, I’m proud to say that our MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants continue to fill the gaps – seeing, treating and crafting custom care plans for more than 50 million patients to date . As the first retail clinic to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission in 2006 and continued re-accreditations since, our providers uphold that same standard of excellence - using innovation and a tailored approach to meet each patient's needs. That approach has been especially prevalent this past year with people changing the way they receive care and telehealth visits have increased 38x, according to a recent McKinsey and Company report . Thankfully, with our diverse telemedicine offerings, we’ve been able to reach thousands of people with our already existing 24/7 service via Video Visits and via convenient virtual appointments with our providers through E-Clinic visits, which we launched quickly in response to the pandemic.

Our efforts to improve population health management don’t stop there. Our MinuteClinic locations inside CVS HealthHUB offer expanded services and support from our care team in select states. Whether helping manage chronic conditions or piloting mental health counseling, we’re providing easy and affordable access to the resources people need to achieve better health. Through our holistic approach, each person has a seamless experience, where retail convenience and face-to-face engagement meet. We’ve also worked to form partnerships with local medical systems. By reaching beyond the clinic, we’re able to collaborate with health systems in building healthier communities. Serving as the front door to access health care, we’re also glad to provide high quality clinical support for our patients by connecting them to primary care providers and specialists for long-term care.

As an ever-evolving organization, MinuteClinic continues to grow and we are always looking for new ways to revolutionize our health ecosystem. Over the years, we’ve served as a complement to the broader health system by filling gaps in care for our patients and we’re always working to improve the changing health care landscape, while remaining true to our original goal of transforming health in our communities.