MinuteClinic and Emory Healthcare Network expand primary care access to Georgians

ATLANTA – MinuteClinic, the medical clinic inside select CVS Pharmacy locations, and Emory Healthcare Network, the most comprehensive clinically integrated network in Georgia, are collaborating to offer in-network adult primary care to most of the network’s health insurance plan holders at all MinuteClinic locations in Georgia.

The expansion of services will provide more Georgians with increased access to primary care options, which can help improve health outcomes. According to research, individuals with a regular primary care physician experience a 33% reduction in health care costs and a 19% lower chance of premature death compared to those who only see specialists. 

With 35 MinuteClinic locations in Georgia, patients will continue to benefit from same-day access, extended evening and weekend hours and virtual care options. Care coordination will be facilitated through an interoperable electronic health record, allowing for seamless communication and consultation between MinuteClinic providers and Emory clinicians.

Numerous study participants reported experiencing childhood trauma, defined as distressing experiences that threaten the bodily, familial, or social safety of someone under the age of 18. For the study, researchers used a 27-item self-report questionnaire to assess participants’ experience with trauma in four domains: general trauma, and emotional, sexual and physical abuse.

While men and women reported similar levels of trauma in the study, men in the group did not experience any of the vascular dysfunction observed among women. Other similarities among men and women included marital status, education and income levels, with almost half of the participants making less than $25,000 annually. Additionally, both cohorts had similar levels of blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, diabetes and hypertension. Despite the similarities, the prevalence of atrial stiffness among only female participants suggests that trauma has a different biological impact on women. 

According to the study, women may experience stress differently because they are exposed to different forms of trauma, and it may be more chronic. For example, “Evidence shows that girls are more likely to be exposed to sexual abuse, whereas boys are more likely to report physical abuse.” Additionally, the study suggests women may be more vulnerable to a larger cumulative stress burden, eliciting varying physiological stress responses. It also adds that there was an overall higher prevalence of childhood maltreatment among Black populations, compounded by adverse social stressors, which may create an increased risk of resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

says Creagh Milford, DO, MPH, president of retail health at CVS Health. “Joining the Emory Healthcare Network in Georgia as an in-network primary care provider is a significant step in our primary care journey. As our first primary care-specific collaboration with a clinically integrated network, I’m excited to see the positive impact this will have on patient care and community health.” 

With this expansion, MinuteClinic is delivering on CVS Health’s commitment to providing consumer-centric care that is convenient, accessible and affordable.