MinuteClinic Becomes Participating Provider with ppoNEXT

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest provider of retail health care in the United States with 158 locations in 19 states, announced today that it has become a participating provider with ppoNEXT, one of the largest and fastest growing preferred provider organizations in the United States. ppoNEXT members who visit MinuteClinic health care centers throughout the country will pay the office visit co-pay indicated by their insurance plan.

"An important component of ppoNEXT's consumer strategy is to offer a comprehensive network that provides valuable purchasing assistance to individuals for healthcare. The addition of MinuteClinic illustrates this commitment," said Lynn Littleton, ppoNEXT vice president of network development.

ppoNEXT members can access MinuteClinic health care centers in the following metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Hartford, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, Northern New Jersey, the New York City metropolitan area, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh/Durham, Seattle, Stamford, South Florida, and the Maryland suburbs of the Nation's Capital.

MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who specialize in Family Medicine and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions (when clinically appropriate) for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. MinuteClinic also offers common vaccinations, such as flu shots, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B.

MinuteClinic health care centers are open seven days a week, no appointment needs to be made in advance and visits typically take 10-15 minutes.

MinuteClinic board-certified practitioners utilize nationally recognized medical protocols to diagnose and treat health conditions. With the patient's consent, treatment information is shared with his or her primary care physician to facilitate continuity of care.

"Our goal is to integrate simple health care solutions into consumers' lifestyles," said Michael C. Howe, MinuteClinic chief executive officer. "By offering high-quality and convenient treatment that is covered by insurers such as ppoNEXT, we are helping to reduce costs and the time patients spend away from their families and the workplace."

About MinuteClinic

Minneapolis-based MinuteClinic is a subsidiary of CVS Corporation , the leader in America's retail pharmacy industry with more than 40 years of dynamic growth. MinuteClinic launched the first retail health care centers in the United States in 2000 and is the first provider to establish a national presence with more than 150 locations across the country. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. The company has generated more than 750,000 patient visits with a 99 percent customer satisfaction rating. A recognized leader in the patient- centric health care movement, MinuteClinic consistently brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for clinical quality that exceed the national guidelines established for store-based clinics by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MinuteClinic is the first and only retail health care provider to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.minuteclinic.com/.

About ppoNEXT:

ppoNEXT is a leading provider of nationwide healthcare management and network services. With its focus on providing consumers with the utmost in quality healthcare, ppoNEXT selects only providers and facilities of uncompromising quality and excellence. Based in Dallas, Texas, ppoNEXT offers clients access to over 450,000 physicians, over 3,700 hospitals, and thousands of leading ancillary care providers in key markets such as the Midwest, Texas, California, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. ppoNEXT serves self-funded employers, third party administrators, insurance carriers, HMOs, and various managed care firms. ppoNEXT also offers disease management, utilization review, case management, and independent medical review and claims negotiation services through its subsidiary, NEXTcare Management.