With the increasing use of health information technology, retail health clinics (RHCs) are quickly mov-ing from being clinics of convenience to being helpful partners in the overall healthcare system. This beefed-up use of technology makes it easier for patients to keep their doctors looped into their health history. Data reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians has estimated a $40 service in an RHC could potentially cost more than double that in a doctors office, $120 in an urgent care facili-ty, and $325 in an emergency room. Given that 16 to 27 percent of clinic patients have no health in-surance, based on a 2011 RAND report, and only 39 percent have an existing relationship with a primary care provider, the lower cost could be beneficial not only to the patients pocketbook, but in the prevention of potentially future healthcare costs associated with developing chronic conditions.

The clinics are a more affordable avenue for people who need care, but find themselves outside of the healthcare system. Retail health clinics are a huge convenience to patients, said Mary Griske-wicz, senior director of health information systems with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). They can be screened, get their flu shot, have a rash examined, and all of this is usually within 20 feet of the pharmacy where they can get medication.
The population of RHCs seems to have ballooned after two years of near-stagnant growth. Between 2010 and 2011, the number of these clinics rose by 11.2 percent to 1,355 nationwide. And, this trend shows no signs of slowing.

To date, retail drug stores, including Walgreens and CVS, have been the RHC leaders, with their Take Care Clinics and MinuteClinics, respectively. Currently, Walgreens has 350 Take Care Clinics nation-wide, as well as 350 worksite locations. In addition, Walgreens announced last month that it will ex-pand its relationship with the Tufts health plan in Massachusetts. CVS also has a considerable RHC presence 650 MinuteClinics and a plan to add 500 more over the next five years.
Other retail giants, such as Walmart and the grocery store chains Kroger and Safeway, have launched RHC efforts within the last year.

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