When you have a minor injury or illness, getting the care you need quickly can make all the difference. If your primary care provider (PCP) is closed and you need medical attention, convenient care clinics, or retail clinics, can be a reliable alternative.
Convenient care or retail clinics are located mostly in drugstores (like CVS MinuteClinic), supermarkets and “big box” stores like Target. These clinics are typically staffed with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. They are also typically less expensive to visit than the emergency room and have a shorter wait time. Many clinics are open on weekends and holidays and run on a first-come, first-serve basis, so you don’t need an appointment. However, some locations do let you make an appointment online, so you can skip the wait!
Primary care, convenient care, urgent care and the emergency room all serve their own unique purposes. It’s important to understand the differences so you access the care you need, when you need it.
Convenient care clinics are similar to urgent care centers in terms of services and availability for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. While both are a type of walk-in clinic, urgent care centers sometimes offer more services than convenient care — like x-rays and other imaging diagnostics — but can be more costly.
The big difference between walk-in clinics and emergency rooms is the severity of the medical problems they treat. Many people think the emergency room is the only place that can treat injury or illness. Emergency rooms base their wait times on the most life-threatening situations that come through the door. So, if you have a mild illness or minor injury, you could wind up waiting longer at an emergency room than a walk-in clinic. Plus, they often have higher costs.
While the emergency room can provide lifesaving care and should be utilized when needed, know there are other care options for non-life-threatening aliments. Learn more about when and why to go to each of these options in our care options guide.
Convenient care clinics can be a good option for a short-term illness or as a back-up when you can’t see your regular health care provider. Many offer exams, testing and treatment for things like:
Some locations may also offer screenings and vaccinations as well as mental health services.
While convenient care clinics can help with screenings and physicals, they are not meant to replace your primary care provider. Visiting the same provider for your health care helps the provider establish an overall picture of your health. This also allows a more consistent and stable level of care than seeing different providers whenever a new problem arises. It is important to inform your primary care provider about any health concerns or care you receive elsewhere, so they can keep track of your overall health. Be sure to stay up to date with your annual preventive care visits.
Retail clinics should NOT be used for emergencies, like chest pain or difficulty breathing. Call 911 if you experience serious, life-threatening ailments.
A great benefit of convenient care clinics is that they are found in many local drugstores and large supermarkets. Before you go, it is important to make sure the clinic is in-network to help save on costs. Compass Rose Health Plan members can find a retail or convenient care clinic by searching their plan’s provider directory.
To locate a network retail or convenient care clinic under the Standard or High Option Compass Rose Health Plan:
Standard option plan members can expect to pay a $35 co-pay, while High option members pay a $15 co-pay.
To locate a network retail or convenient care clinic under Compass Rose Medicare Advantage:
Compass Rose Medicare Advantage members have a $0 co-pay when visiting network retail or convenient care clinics.