News You Can Use: Retail clinics appeal to younger families

A latte, the new Fall Out Boy CD, something for lunch and oh -- I'll get that cough checked out.

Such "while I'm out" shopping lists could be what's leading more young people to retail clinics than older individuals and families. Also, younger individuals may be less likely to have a primary doctor. Either way, overall, younger families, participants aged 18-34, were more than twice as likely as older families, participants aged 50-64, to have used a retail clinic, according to research by the Commonwealth Fund and the Center for Studying Health System Change. The report also explains that 48% of Americans using retail clinics indicate they had done so for diagnosis and treatment of a new illness or symptom.

"While overall use of retail clinics remains modest, families with unmet medical needs tend to use the clinics more than the rest of the population," says Ha T. Tu, an HSC senior researcher.
About 47% of patients explained that their clinic visit involved a prescription renewal, while less common medical needs included vaccinations, care for an ongoing chronic condition and physical examinations.

"These findings suggest that retail health clinics have the potential to play a role in improving health care delivery, especially primary care," says Dr. Anne-Marie Audet, vice president at the Commonwealth Fund. The research, detailed in the report "Checking Up on Retail-Based Health Clinics: Is the Boom Ending?," represents a national survey of 18,000 people in 9,400 families.

Related EBN coverage:
Retail clinics multiply, regulators step in
Don't mix business and blood pressure

Scone: Blues move toward retail clinics could present catch 22

Creating a good news/bad news scenario for employers offering Blues health insurance plans in Minnesota, BCBS Minnesota has announced it will waive copays for members who use retail clinics to receive medical care.

Certainly good news for employers and employees, as both groups will save. Care received at retail clinics is significantly less expensive than the traditional office visit, and can provide some much-needed breathing room for cost-squeezed employers -- even if it's only half a breath. And certainly, employees will save both time and money, as retail clinics generally have extended hours, minimal wait times, and the waived copay gives members the trifecta.

However, for members with chronic disease, retail clinics may not be the hat trick win they present for other patients. An August EBN report from McLean Robbins shows several medical experts say that, for individuals with complicated chronic illnesses like hypertension and diabetes, retail clinics lack the staff and expertise needed for effective treatment.

And there are more of those patients than ever before. In a sneak peek at the upcoming Sept. 1 EBN, a report from Leah Shepherd will reveal study results from Medco that show that in 2007, 51% of insured Americans were taking prescription drugs to treat at least one chronic health problem, and one-fifth of the population used three or more chronic drug treatments.

Not good news any way you slice it, but if more patients are pushed toward retail clinics, the news could become worse if chronic disease sufferers are not receiving the care they need and ultimately being more costly. There's a catch 22 if I ever saw one.