MinuteClinic, Main Line Health ink clinical collaboration

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and RADNOR, Pa. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic and Main Line Health have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services at MinuteClinic locations in southeastern Pennsylvania.



Under the agreement, physicians from Main Line Health's multi-specialty physician network, with more than 2,000 doctors, will serve as collaborating physicians for MinuteClinic locations in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The collaboration will include future clinics as part of MinuteClinic's national expansion plan to add 150 new clinics this year and reach a total of 1,500 clinics in the United States by 2017.



In addition, MinuteClinic and Main Line Health will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiative, and will inform patients of the services each offer.



"Main Line Health is recognized nationally for delivering high-quality care and joins MinuteClinic in our commitment to bring more accessible and affordable medical services to patients in Southeastern Pennsylvania," said Andrew Sussman, president, MinuteClinic and SVP/associate chief medical officer, CVS Caremark.  "We look forward to having Main Line Health physicians collaborate with MinuteClinic's nurse practitioners to provide quality support, teaching and back-up so MinuteClinic can provide the best care at the lowest overall cost."



"Main Line Health is committed to making health care as accessible as possible for our communities," said Jack Lynch, president and CEO of Main Line Health. "Engaging in this new partnership ensures our community has access to basic care when and where they need it, and, when more advanced care is necessary, our Main Line Health team will be available to provide appropriate treatment and an exceptional patient experience."



MinuteClinic and Main Line Health will begin to work toward integrating electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of each individual's care. With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with other facilities and physicians for an individual's continuity of care. In the meantime, MinuteClinic will continue its standard practice of sending patient visit summaries to primary care providers via fax or mail, typically within 24 hours, with patient consent.