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Take Care Health Systems Surpasses 100 Clinic Milestone With New Openings in Florida and Arizona

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 November 2007, 12:00 CST

Take Care Health Systems, one of the largest managers of convenient care clinics and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), celebrated a major milestone this week by opening its 100th clinic, with new clinics debuting in Miami, Fla., Orlando, Fla., Tampa, Fla., and Tucson, Ariz. Take Care Health Systems manages 102 clinics in 11 states, and plans to have more than 400 clinics at Walgreens drugstores by the end of 2008.

"Surpassing our 100 clinic milestone with locations in 11 states reinforces our goals of creating a national network of accessible health care clinics and bringing high-quality, affordable and convenient care to as many individuals as possible," said Peter Miller, Take Care Health Systems President and CEO. "Take Care Health Clinics offer an entry point into the broader system, while at the same time alleviating some of the burdens put on other health care sites of service that define traditional health care, from ERs to urgent care to physician's offices.

"More than 280,000 patients have been seen at Take Care Health Clinics since November 2005. Clinics are connecting with patients who love our services and consistently respond with high satisfaction ratings; nurse practitioners and physician assistants who embrace our mission and find our setting a great place to work; and the broader health care system that understands our vision and sees a place for convenient care as an option in health care delivery," Miller said.

Take Care Health Clinics are professional, walk-in health care centers, staffed by nationally certified and licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants who treat patients 18 months and older for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear and sinus infections, pink eye and poison ivy. Take Care Health Providers offer diagnostic screenings; school, sports and camp physicals; and vaccinations for flu, hepatitis B, meningitis and tetanus. Providers write prescriptions, as clinically appropriate, that can be filled at the patient's pharmacy of choice.

Take Care Health Systems has distinguished itself from other convenient clinic managers through an integrated approach to the patient's long-term well-being, rather than concentrating solely on quick treatment.

"Patients tell us they truly appreciate our focus on their needs, from our Medical Concierges who facilitate sign-in and make visits as seamless as possible to our nurse practitioners and physician assistants who treat common illnesses and emphasize patient education, health and well-being," said Sandra Ryan, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer for Take Care Health Systems. "Our continuing mission is to advocate for patients and redefine their health care experience. Take Care Health Clinics do just that while working in partnership with the greater medical community."

Most insurance plans are accepted at the clinics -- including Aetna, CIGNA, Coventry, Great-West, Humana, MultiPlan, UnitedHealthCare, many local Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans -- as well as Medicare and Medicaid. New plans are regularly added. Insured patients pay their regular co-pay; for uninsured or cash payers prices average $59-$74. Prices and individual insurance plans accepted in each market are clearly posted on TakeCareHealth.com and clinic signage.

Take Care Health Systems uses nationally recognized, evidence-based clinical guidelines for treatment and electronic medical record technology allowing patients to take visit records to their other providers, promoting continuity of care. Take Care Health Providers follow quality and safety standards outlined by the Convenient Care Association, the industry's trade association, and are aligned with guidelines for retail clinics set by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association.

Take Care Health Providers encourage all patients to have a "health care home," a medical provider they see routinely for on-going medical needs and routine exams. If a patient's condition falls outside of the scope of practice at the clinic, the patient is referred back to his/her primary care provider for follow-on care. If a patient does not have a primary care physician, providers will offer a list of physicians in the area accepting new patients. Take Care Health Providers collaborate with local physicians who are available for consultation at all times the practitioner is treating a patient.

Take Care Health Systems manages 102 locations in 13 cities, 11 states, including: Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Milwaukee, Orlando, Fla., Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa, Fla. and Tucson, Ariz. Further expansion in 2007 is planned for Cleveland and Nashville, Tenn. Take Care Health Systems plans to open more than 400 clinics at Walgreens drugstores by the end of 2008.

About Take Care Health SystemsSM

Take Care Health SystemsSM (www.takecarehealth.com), one of the largest managers of convenient care clinics, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens. Take Care Health Clinics managed by Take Care Health Systems combine best practices in health care and the expertise and personal care of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in providing high-quality, accessible and affordable health care to all individuals. Take Care Health Systems maintains a detailed quality assurance program including collaborating physician review to ensure quality care, patient safety and state scope of practice compliance. Patient care is provided by Take Care Health Services, an independently owned state professional corporation established in each market.

About Walgreens

Walgreen Co. (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2007 sales of $53.8 billion. The company operates 6,059 stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, including 77 Happy Harry's stores in Delaware and surrounding states. Walgreens is expanding its patient-first health care services beyond traditional pharmacy through Walgreens Health Services, its managed care division, and Take Care Health Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary that manages convenient care clinics at drugstores. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives, Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service, Inc., Walgreens Home Care, Inc. and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, LLC.

Source: Business Wire

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