MinuteClinic Becomes Participating Provider With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest provider of retail health care in the United States, announced that it has become a participating provider with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the state's oldest and largest private health insurer.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 600,000 Oklahomans. Those members will now have access to MinuteClinic health care centers located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in the Oklahoma City market.

"This is an important development in the growth of our business in Oklahoma as we expand access to care to thousands of new customers," said Andrew Sussman, MD, MinuteClinic President and Chief Operating Officer. "By offering high quality treatment in a convenient setting, we can work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma to help reduce health care insurance expenses for its members as well as time spent away from members' families and the workplace."

MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B are available at all locations. In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help consumers identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health, including screenings for diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners utilize nationally recognized medical protocols to diagnose and treat health conditions. With the patient's consent, treatment information is shared with his or her primary care physician to facilitate continuity of care. In addition, patients can also download their MinuteClinic visit summary to an electronic personal health record.

In Oklahoma, MinuteClinic health care centers are open seven days a week with extended weekday evening hours. No appointment is necessary.

About MinuteClinic
Minneapolis-based MinuteClinic is a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), the No. 1 provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the nation. MinuteClinic launched the first retail health care centers in the United States in 2000 and is the first provider to establish a national presence with about 500 locations in 25 states. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. The company has generated more than 5 million patient visits, with a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating. A recognized leader in the patient-centric health care movement, MinuteClinic consistently brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for clinical quality that exceed the national guidelines established for store-based clinics by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MinuteClinic is the first retail health care provider to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.