MedStar Health and Rite Aid Announce an Agreement to Launch Health Clinics

COLUMBIA, Md., CAMP HILL, Pa. and WASHINGTON -- MedStar Health, Rite Aid Corporation, and Consumer Health Services, Inc. (CHS), a manager of on-site physician-staffed health clinics, have entered into an agreement to launch MedStar PromptCare walk-in health clinics inside select Rite Aid stores. The clinic sites will open this summer at four locations in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.

Under the agreement, MedStar Health will provide clinical oversight and ensure access to necessary follow-up specialty and acute medical services for the clinics. This partnership will provide patients with convenient, high-quality medical care, without an appointment, that is integrated with MedStar Health-affiliated physicians and hospitals. MedStar PromptCare clinics will be staffed by physicians to provide treatment for most commonly occurring ailments such as strep throat, flu and urinary tract infections; minor injuries such as lacerations, sprains and minor fractures, as well as health and wellness screenings and vaccinations.

MedStar PromptCare physicians will be credentialed by and have admitting privileges to MedStar Health's hospitals, including Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., as well as Montgomery General Hospital in Montgomery County, Md., and Franklin Square Hospital Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Harbor Hospital, and Union Memorial Hospital, which are all located in Baltimore. This relationship provides patients with the opportunity for greater access to specialists at some of the region's top healthcare facilities. The clinics are expected to have secure electronic access to MedStar Health's patient information system to ensure continuity of care.

"This partnership is an evolution of the retail healthcare delivery system," said Christine M. Swearingen, senior vice president for corporate strategy and business development of MedStar Health. "MedStar PromptCare will offer patients an efficient continuum of care if they require further medical attention. By giving patients direct access to physicians, MedStar PromptCare clinics will provide an alternative to emergency rooms and urgent care centers for immediate medical services for non-emergency illnesses and injuries."

Patients will be able to pay with cash, credit card or, for most major health insurance plans, their insurance co-pay.

"MedStar PromptCare clinics will provide our customers and community with accessible, high-quality medical care in a convenient setting," said Mark de Bruin, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy services. "These in-store health clinics offer services that complement the medication counseling and care provided by our pharmacists. It's a great combination and clearly supports Rite Aid's focus on health and wellness."

"Our agreement with MedStar Health and Rite Aid is an important milestone for our vision of what a truly integrated retail-based healthcare delivery model should look like to address episodic care needs outside of an ER," said James D'Orta, MD, chairman of Consumer Health Services. "This collaboration will help ensure that patients treated at MedStar PromptCare sites will have access to immediate, high-quality healthcare."

Source: Consumer Health Services, Inc.

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