Report Projects Moderate Growth in Retail Clinics

Despite the recession, overall growth of the heathcare retail clinic market has increased approximately 15 percent in the past two years, according to a new report released today by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. Retail clinic market growth, however, will likely slow to 10-15 percent from 2010 through 2012 and will accelerate above 30 percent from 2013-2014, according to the report.

Retail Clinics:Update and Implications suggests that four factors will likely contribute to the sector’s growth:

• Increased use and satisfaction by consumers
• Increased use and acceptance by commercial health plans and large employers
• Increased services provided through the retail medicine model
• Increased demand for preventive and primary health care services as a result of health reform and consumer demand

According to the report and Deloitte’s 2009 Survey of Health Care Consumers, 33 percent of consumers indicate they are willing to use a retail clinic, especially younger and middle-aged working adults. Moreover, 30 percent of respondents are likely to use a retail clinic if it would cost them 50 percent less than seeing their physician. Most retail clinics currently operate in retail pharmacy settings (82 percent), or as a department or wholly owned subsidiary of the host organization, such as a grocery store (12 percent) or big-box discount store (6 percent). Notably, 2009 has seen increased activity by acute care organizations entering retail medicine via contractual arrangements with drug store and grocery chains.

Today, core services at retail clinics typically include preventative health screenings, prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) therapeutics and uncomplicated primary care. However, the retail clinic business model is capable of supporting additional revenue streams (zones) unrelated to its core operations, including medication management, employee wellness, chronic care management and health insurance.