Original Article HERE On The Tennessean: Walgreens Plans In-Store Clinics
Walgreens will be opening up nine mini-clinics in the drugstore’s 60 stores across Middle Tennessee. For those not familiar with what these are, they are basically small doctor’s offices that treat minor ailments, like colds, sinus infections, sprains, bronchitis, pregnancy tests, physicals, etc. In addition, these clinics are competing with the larger practices, by offering their services cheaper, in the $50-$70 range.
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I can certainly understand why some people might be concerned about such ‘mini clinics.’ There is always a chance for these to get popular enough before getting better regulated, and for patients being taken advantage or or hurt in some way. Never the less, I’d almost rather go to one of these clinics for a common sinus infection or sprain than my doctor. If it ends up being cheaper, too, all the better!
Ideally though, the outcome of these clinics, will be cheaper more-affordable health care. It’s outrageous sometimes, even with insurance, how much you’ll end up paying for a simple ailment, like a sinus infection. (Something I get at least twice a year.) You add up the co-pay, the medication, and the follow-up visit co-pay, and it can come out to a lot for something fairly common. Perhaps with this new competition, everyone will begin reducing their rates. (Though, I’m not holding my breath!)
