Partner With Retail Clinics to Boost Brand, Downstream Revenue

These points are especially important moving forward, as The California Healthcare Foundation recently found the number-one thing consumers like about in-store clinics was cost predictability. Additionally, the American Journal of Managed Care found that use of retail clinics among patients with insurance increased tenfold from 2007 to 2009.

"If these trends continue, health plans will see a dramatic increase in retail clinic utilization … particularly among, young, healthy, and higher income patients living close to retail clinics," the study concludes.

This statement should make healthcare leaders realize that to get ahead of the in-store clinic wave, it may be time to paddle out and partner with a retailer. Not only does it make good business sense, but clinics can be beneficial to a  hospital's brand and future success in its market.