Content about Retail Clinician

November 22, 2011
Provider groups file lawsuit to battle Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cuts

The recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prompted provider groups to file a lawsuit against the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the cuts did not follow proper legal channels.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The recent approval of a 10% reimbursement rate cut in California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has prompted provider groups to file a lawsuit against the California Department of Healthcare Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the cuts did not follow proper legal channels.

November 22, 2011
Study: Retail clinic usage rose tenfold from 2007 to 2009

The use of retail-based health clinics increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009, and, if the trends continue, health plans can expect to see a dramatic boost in retail clinic utilization, based on the findings of a new Rand Corp. study.

NEW YORK — The use of retail-based health clinics increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009, and, if the trends continue, health plans can expect to see a dramatic boost in retail clinic utilization, based on the findings of a new Rand Corp. study.

“It is clear that enrollees are ‘voting with their feet’ and that retail clinics are meeting an unmet need for simple acute care and/or addressing a shortage of traditional healthcare providers,” according to the American Journal of Managed Care, which published the study.

November 22, 2011
UnitedHealthcare acquires XLHealth

A UnitedHealth Group company announced its plans to acquire a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans in an all-cash transaction.

MINNETONKA, Minn. — A UnitedHealth Group company announced its plans to acquire a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans in an all-cash transaction.

November 21, 2011
Americans least able to afford health care are the heaviest smokers

Almost one-third of Americans who have not had enough money to pay for health care and/or medicine in the past 12 months are smokers, according to the October 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Almost one-third of Americans who have not had enough money to pay for health care and/or medicine in the past 12 months are smokers, according to the October 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The percentage of smokers is cut in half (14.2%) when it comes to the population that can afford to pay for health care and/or medicine in the past 12 months. Of the Americans without a personal doctor, 27.5% smoke.

November 21, 2011
Factor Nutrition presents study on supplement supporting memory

Factor Nutrition Labs on Monday presented a study supporting supplementation with its FocusFactor product to improve brain function before the Gerontological Society of America.

BOSTON — Factor Nutrition Labs on Monday presented a study supporting supplementation with its FocusFactor product to improve brain function before the Gerontological Society of America.

November 21, 2011
MinuteClinic, Emory Healthcare form clinical affiliation

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has entered into a clinical affiliation with Emory Healthcare, the largest hospital system in Georgia, to enhance access to healthcare services in communities throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has entered into a clinical affiliation with Emory Healthcare, the largest hospital system in Georgia, to enhance access to healthcare services in communities throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

MinuteClinic has 31 clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in metro Atlanta.

November 21, 2011
Study: Hand sanitizer use in schools reduces flu illness, absenteeism

A hand and respiratory hygiene program including frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer helped reduce illness caused by influenza A, and reduced the number of missed school days in elementary school children, according to a study in the November issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

PHILADELPHIA — A hand and respiratory hygiene program including frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer helped reduce illness caused by influenza A, and reduced the number of missed school days in elementary school children, according to a study in the November issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

November 18, 2011
Citi: Flu season to peak later in 2012 than it did last year

Citi Investment Research & Analysis is projecting that the peak of flu season may occur beyond last season's peak of January/February, a factor that may place a negative drag on retail same-store sales results over first quarter 2012.

NEW YORK — Citi Investment Research & Analysis is projecting that the peak of flu season may occur beyond last season's peak of January/February, a factor that may place a negative drag on retail same-store sales results over first quarter 2012.

November 18, 2011
FDA revokes breast cancer approval for Avastin

A drug widely used to treat breast cancer is not safe or effective, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A drug widely used to treat breast cancer is not safe or effective, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

November 18, 2011
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia elects first nurse practitioner

The Fellowship of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia on Friday elected the first nurse practitioner to its ranks: Sandra Ryan, Walgreens' Take Care Health Systems chief nurse practitioner officer and clinical advocate.

PHILADELPHIA — The Fellowship of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia on Friday elected the first nurse practitioner to its ranks: Sandra Ryan, Walgreens' Take Care Health Systems chief nurse practitioner officer and clinical advocate.

November 17, 2011
Kline: Consumers gravitating toward 'natural' OTCs

Consumers are gravitating toward "natural" over-the-counter remedies, according to a new Kline report, "Natural OTCs 2011: Impact of Non-Drug Products on the U.S. OTC Market," released Wednesday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Consumers are gravitating toward "natural" over-the-counter remedies, according to a new Kline report, "Natural OTCs 2011: Impact of Non-Drug Products on the U.S. OTC Market," released Wednesday.

While the U.S. traditional nonprescription drugs industry registered an average compound annual growth rate of 2.5% between 2005 and 2010, the market for natural OTC remedies has grown at a CAGR of 5.9% per year from 2009 to 2011, according to the research study.

November 17, 2011
MinuteClinic becomes participating provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

MinuteClinic announced on Thursday that it has become a contracted provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, which provides health insurance products, services or networks to 1.2 million individuals.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic announced on Thursday that it has become a contracted provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, which provides health insurance products, services or networks to 1.2 million individuals.
 
Under the agreement, these individuals now will have access to 16 MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in communities throughout the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.

November 16, 2011
Active X energy bars arrive at retail

Active Health Foods has launched its energy bar in the retail market.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Active Health Foods announced the launch of its energy bars at retail.

Active X energy bars are 100% natural and organic and made with a proprietary formula that was developed by the company in conjunction with a nutritionist, Active Health Foods said. The 1.8-oz. bars are available in Almond Chocolate Delight, Peanut Butter Chocolate Joy, Cashew Berry Dream, Coconut Cocoa Passion and Double Chocolate Chip varieties.

November 16, 2011
Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance launches programs in D.C. area

Rite Aid, UnitedHealth Group and the YMCA are partnering to offer community-based programs to combat Type 2 diabetes in the Washington, D.C., area through the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, the three companies said.

WASHINGTON — Rite Aid, UnitedHealth Group and the YMCA are partnering to offer community-based programs to combat Type 2 diabetes in the Washington, D.C., area through the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, the three companies said.

November 16, 2011
FDA approves Tandem insulin pump

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new insulin-delivery system for Type 1 diabetes made by Tandem Diabetes Care, the company said Wednesday.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new insulin-delivery system for Type 1 diabetes made by Tandem Diabetes Care, the company said Wednesday.

Tandem announced the approval of the T:slim, a pump that the company said is the first to have a color touch screen and is the smallest insulin pump system available, in addition to being one of the first to be approved under the FDA's new Infusion Pump Improvement initiative.

November 16, 2011
MinuteClinic salutes nurse practitioners during National Nurse Practitioner Week

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic is applauding the patient-centered care delivered by practitioners across the United States and supporting their role in helping to create broader access to quality and affordable health care during National Nurse Practitioner Week that began Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 19.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic is applauding the patient-centered care delivered by practitioners across the United States and supporting their role in helping to create broader access to quality and affordable health care during National Nurse Practitioner Week that began Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 19.

November 16, 2011
Natrol partners with yoga icon on new line of supplements

Natrol on Wednesday announced its partnership with Bikram Choudhury, a world renowned yoga instructor who developed the brand of yoga known as Bikram yoga, to offer a new line of ayurvedic supplements called Vedic Mantra.

CHATSWORTH, Calif. — Natrol on Wednesday announced its partnership with Bikram Choudhury, a world renowned yoga instructor who developed the brand of yoga known as Bikram yoga, to offer a new line of ayurvedic supplements called Vedic Mantra.

November 15, 2011
Hearing loss more prevalent than previously thought

Nearly one-fifth of all Americans ages 12 years and older have hearing loss so severe that it may make communication difficult, according to a new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers and published in the Nov. 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

BALTIMORE — Nearly one-fifth of all Americans ages 12 years and older have hearing loss so severe that it may make communication difficult, according to a new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers and published in the Nov. 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The findings, thought to be the first nationally representative estimate of hearing loss, suggest that many more people than previously thought are affected by this condition.

November 15, 2011
Survey: Text service improves healthcare engagement, compliance among expectant, new mothers

A free mobile service providing healthcare information via text message helped improve both engagement with healthcare providers and compliance with regimens, researchers revealed Tuesday.

SAN DIEGO — A free mobile service providing healthcare information via text message helped improve both engagement with healthcare providers and compliance with regimens, researchers revealed Tuesday.

November 14, 2011
Celestial Seasonings launches Kombucha Energy Shots

Celestial Seasonings has introduced an energy shot that combines B vitamins, botanicals and kombucha, a fermented black tea.

BOULDER, Colo. — Celestial Seasonings has introduced an energy shot that combines B vitamins, botanicals and kombucha, a fermented black tea.

Kombucha Energy Shots are packaged in single-serve, 2-fl.-oz. bottles and are available in citrus, berry and Pomegranate Xtreme varieties.

November 14, 2011
Colonial Life: Three healthcare trends that can impact retail pharmacy in 2012

Colonial Life and Accident Insurance last week released its top five trends and predictions for health care in 2012 — three of which may have some direct impact on retail pharmacy.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Colonial Life and Accident Insurance last week released its top five trends and predictions for health care in 2012 — three of which may have some direct impact on retail pharmacy.

November 14, 2011
Report: Solantic to move headquarters to Nashville

Urgent care operator Solantic is moving its corporate headquarters from Florida to Tennessee, according to a local news report.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Urgent care operator Solantic is moving its corporate headquarters from Florida to Tennessee, according to a local news report.

According to a report by The Independent Florida Alligator, the company’s corporate headquarters office is currently in Jacksonville but will be relocating to Nashville.

The report stated that Solantic’s 32 urgent care clinics in Florida will remain open.
 

November 11, 2011
CDC: 7-in-10 smokers want to quit; half have tried in past year

Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday.

ATLANTA — Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday.

November 11, 2011
Joulebody introduces meal replacement bar to complement meal delivery service

Joulebody on Thursday announced the launch of its Jouledetox Bar, a vegan whole food bar, to complement the company's meal delivery offering with a retail component.

NEW YORK — Joulebody on Thursday announced the launch of its Jouledetox Bar, a vegan whole food bar, to complement the company's meal delivery offering with a retail component, beginning Dec. 1.

November 11, 2011
Pawlenty and ‘who’s who’ of retail pharmacy headline 13th annual Issues Summit

The list of participating companies in the 13th Annual Drug Store News Group Industry Issues conference — which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the highly prestigious New York Athletic Club — reads like a “who’s who” of pharmacy retailing.

NEW YORK — CVS/pharmacy. Rite Aid. Walgreens. Sam’s Club. Ahold. H-E-B. The Katz Group. Giant Eagle. Good Neighbor. Health Mart. The list of participating companies in the 13th Annual Drug Store News Group Industry Issues conference — which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, here at the highly prestigious New York Athletic Club — reads like a “who’s who” of pharmacy retailing.