CVS Health poll reveals where Americans access medical care

WOONSOCKET – According to a recent report from CVS Health, “By the Numbers: Where Patients Access Care,” walk-in clinics offer patients widely accessible, low-cost alternatives to emergency departments. CVS Health, in partnership with Morning Consult (a Washington-based media and technology company that describes itself as being at the intersection of politics, policy, Wall Street and business strategy), conducted an opinion poll of 2,001 registered voters across the United States during June 1-4. According to “By the Numbers,” 80 percent of the poll’s respondents reported having a primary care provider, though one-third of respondents cited difficulty in finding a primary care provider at some point in their lives. Individuals with no primary care provider attributed the cost and lack of insurance as key reasons for not having a physician.

Thirty-four percent of respondents with a primary care provider reported using more expensive alternatives – specifically, emergency departments – for health care services, while only 15 percent chose to use less costly retail health clinics. With median emergency department visits costing 40 percent more than what the average American pays in monthly rent, according to the report, a significant opportunity exists to encourage more individuals to opt for lower-cost alternatives.

More than 30 million visits have been made to CVS Minute Clinics, which are located in 33 states and Washington. More than 1,100 Minute Clinics specialize in family health care; diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses; screen for and monitor diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; and provide tuberculosis testing, contraceptive care, vaccinations and smoking cessation programs. Clinics are open seven days a week and do not require appointments.

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