The Medical Freedom Channel

“Some of the state’s largest health insurers say they will cover visits to the retail health clinics expected to open in CVS and Walgreens drugstores later this year, making the clinics attractive options for the treatment of everyday ailments. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan have signed contracts with CVS Caremark, the Woonsocket, R.I., company that operates more than 6,000 pharmacies nationwide. … The endorsement by insurers is likely to turn retail clinics into major healthcare providers in the state because, for many patients, they will be less expensive than hospital emergency rooms, with less waiting time. Under the contracts signed and being negotiated, retail clinic copayments range from $10 to $25, compared with the $50 to $150 copays most insurers assess for emergency room care.” [editor’s note: At least now I have a topic for this week’s editorial - SAT] (07/24/08)