MinuteClinic Becomes Participating Provider With Preferred Blue Network of BlueCross BlueShield of Sout...( MINNEAPOLIS Feb. 5 /- MinuteClinic th...),Health

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest provider of retail health care in the United States, announced that it has become a participating provider in the Preferred Blue network of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

BlueCross' Preferred Blue and Medicare Advantage members now have in-network access to MinuteClinic health care centers located in the Columbia and Greenville markets. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

"By offering quality treatment in a convenient setting, we can work with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina to help reduce health care insurance expenses for its members as well as time spent away from members' families and the workplace," said Chip Phillips, MinuteClinic president.

In September, MinuteClinic opened its first retail health care centers in South Carolina inside select CVS/pharmacy stories in Greenville, Lexington and Richland counties.

MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by masters-prepared, board-certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions when clinically indicated for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, MMR, and Hepatitis A & B are also available. MinuteClinic retail locations are open seven days a week including weekday evening hours. No appointment is necessary.

MinuteClinic nurse 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. In addition, patients can also download their MinuteClinic visit summary to an electronic personal health reco
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