National Business Group on Health Issues Position on Convenience Care Clinics
Group Supports Employer Use of Clinics for Selected, Non-Emergent Care
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - November 15, 2007) - Saying they meet an important, unfilled need
for easily accessible health care services, the National Business Group on
Health today issued a comprehensive position statement supporting employer
use of retail medical clinics for selected, urgent, non-emergent medical
problems. The National Business Group on Health is a non-profit
association representing 288 large U.S. employers.
The Business Group's position statement comes at a time when the number of
convenience care clinics is growing steadily while some medical groups,
including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of
Pediatrics, are raising questions about the quality of care being delivered
at retail clinics.
"In the face of growing controversy surrounding retail health clinics, the
Board's Physicians' Advisory Group conducted an extensive review of
research reports and publications, and ultimately recommended a position
supporting retail clinics," said Helen Darling, President of the National
Business Group on Health. "After reviewing the recommendation, the
Business Group's Board of Directors, including their five physician
members, concluded that retail clinics, in fact, meet an important,
unfilled need for services that are easily accessible, open to everyone,
lower in cost than emergency rooms, and available during hours that many
physicians' offices are closed."
The number of convenience care clinics has been growing steadily and
several employers have encouraged their workers to use these low cost,
walk-in facilities which generally provide medical care for minor illnesses
such as ear infections, sore throats, coughs and pink eye. The clinics,
typically located in supermarkets, pharmacies and large, retail stores, are
generally staffed by nurse practitioners and are open evenings and weekends
as a convenience to working families.
"We don't see any reason to exclude retail medical clinics from employer
provided health benefits coverage as long as standards are in place and
there is appropriate physician back-up and supervision," said Darling.
"Patients, employers and health plans can clearly benefit from the targeted
focus, ease of access, convenience and greater affordability of these
facilities."
In its support, the Business Group declared a need for standards that are
appropriate for retail clinics. At a minimum, the Business Group says
these standards should assure that the care conforms to accepted standards
of practice and medical evidence and is delivered in a safe setting; that
referrals are appropriate and information is transferred timely; that
health information protections are appropriate, and that any conflicts of
interest resulting from the retail setting or affiliation be avoided.
"We also feel strongly that employers and health plans should use the same
due diligence process in selecting a retail clinic that they use in all
other health benefit decisions. Many large employers already support
retail clinics as a way to save time and reduce costs. And while these
clinics are not substitutes for patient-centered primary care, urgent care
in convenient locations clearly meets an important, unmet need for workers
and their families," concluded Darling.
About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit,
membership organization of large employers devoted exclusively to finding
innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health
care and related benefits issues. The Business Group identifies and shares
best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity,
related paid time off and work/life balance issues. Business Group members
provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and
their families. For more information about the Business Group, visit
www.businessgrouphealth.org.