• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Devon Health, Geisinger Health System to Co-Market CareWorks Convenient In-Store Healthcare Clinics

Posted on: Tuesday, 10 July 2007, 12:22 CDT

In response to industry trends that are shifting more healthcare costs to patients and employees, Devon Health today announced a strategic alliance with Geisinger Health System to market its CareWorks in-store retail healthcare clinics. Devon Health Services, Inc., is a National Healthcare Cost Management company and the Northeast's most extensive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).

According to the California HealthCare Foundation, the number of retail medical clinics in the United States has increased from 60 in January 2006 to over 300 today. The clinics offer patients quality, affordable healthcare in convenient locations such as supermarkets, drugstores, and pharmacies, and most are open at night and on the weekends. No appointments are necessary, and patients can receive treatment for minor illnesses and injuries.

"It is inevitable that consumerism will play an increasing role within our healthcare system over the next decade," says Dean Q. Lin, CEO of CareWorks Convenient Healthcare. "As one of Pennsylvania's leading providers, Geisinger is committed to offering patients the best possible healthcare. Retail-based in-store clinics are incredibly popular due to their ability to offer patients a convenient and cost-effective alternative to waiting for appointments to treat minor complications. CareWorks is the area's first retail clinic, and we are proud to work with a major healthcare player in Devon Health to give our patients greater access to these innovative providers."

The clinics are staffed with physician-supervised, certified nurses and physician assistants who treat bronchitis, strep throat, ear infections, and the flu, and can also administer several types of wellness screenings, physicals, and a variety of routine and seasonal vaccinations. Treatments are available for adults and children ages one year and older.

"Geisinger is one of the best and most well-known providers not only in Pennsylvania, but across the country," says William C. Bruce, vice president of network development for Devon Health. "We have worked with them for years to give patients access to quality healthcare. Devon Health started recruiting retail medical clinics to both advance this mission and expand our provider network. These clinics have the potential to help thousands of people and reduce healthcare costs across-the-board for Americans. We are excited to help Geisinger and CareWorks expand their coverage and to grow the presence of these retail-clinics."

Geisinger currently owns and operates three CareWorks clinics in Weis Supermarkets in Allentown (King's Market), Easton, and Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. The clinic hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Two more clinics are coming soon this summer in Tannersville (Mr. Z's) and Stroudsburg (Weis Markets). No appointment is necessary and the average visits lasts about 15 minutes. For more information, visit www.careworkshealth.com.

CareWorks will join Devon Health's National PPO Network. Devon Health will promote CareWorks to its extensive client base in Pennsylvania, and offer clients and members access to these popular facilities. CareWorks is currently Devon Health's Featured Provider.

About Devon Health Services, Inc.

Devon Health Services, Inc. (www.devonhealth.com), is a National Healthcare Cost Management company offering complete healthcare benefit packages, including national PPO networks, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Workers' Compensation, and Motor Vehicle PPO networks, and Claims Settlement Services. Devon Health was founded in 1991 by John A. Bennett, M.D., an internal medicine physician. The company is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

About Geisinger

Geisinger Health System is an integrated physician-led health services organization serving more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, and one of the largest rural healthcare providers in the United States. It includes a 650-member group practice, tertiary/quaternary medical centers, one of the nation's first rural children's hospitals, acute-care community hospitals, adult and pediatric trauma centers, an alcohol and chemical dependency treatment center, two research centers, 42 community practice offices, and one of the largest not-for-profit rural HMOs in the country. Celebrating its 91st year, Geisinger Medical Center is a 410-bed teaching, referral and research hospital, Level I trauma center with additional qualifications in pediatrics, and one of the largest hospitals in the region. It is also home to the Janet Weis Children's Hospital, a comprehensive provider of pediatric care. The hospital's medical staff represents more than 75 specialties and includes about 350 physicians, who have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally as clinicians, teachers, researchers and leaders in the healthcare industry.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category