Devon to partner with Geisinger to market retail health care clinics

Drug Store News (Online)
July 10, 2007
By Adam Kraemer

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - Devon Health, a national health care cost management company, announced a strategic alliance with Geisinger Health System to market its CareWorks in-store retail health care clinics. Devon Health Services is the Northeast's most extensive preferred provider organization. “It is inevitable that consumerism will play an increasing role within our health care system over the next decade,” said Dean Lin, chief executive officer of CareWorks Convenient Healthcare. “As one of Pennsylvania's leading providers, Geisinger is committed to offering patients the best possible health care. Retail-based in-store clinics are incredibly popular due to their ability to offer patients a convenient and cost-effective alternative to waiting for appointments to treat minor complications. CareWorks is the area's first retail clinic, and we are proud to work with a major health care player in Devon Health to give our patients greater access to these innovative providers.”

The clinics are staffed with physician-supervised, certified nurses and physician assistants who treat bronchitis, strep throat, ear infections and the flu, as well as administering several types of wellness screenings, physicals and a variety of routine and seasonal vaccinations. Treatments are available for adults and children ages 1 year and older. “Geisinger is one of the best and most well-known providers not only in Pennsylvania, but across the country,” said William Bruce, vice president of network development for Devon Health. “We have worked with them for years to give patients access to quality health care. Devon Health started recruiting retail medical clinics to both advance this mission and expand our provider network. These clinics have the potential to help thousands of people and reduce health care costs across-the-board for Americans. We are excited to help Geisinger and CareWorks expand their coverage and to grow the presence of these retail clinics.”

Geisinger currently owns and operates three CareWorks clinics in Weis Supermarkets in Allentown (King's Market), Easton and Clarks Summit, Pa. The clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Two more clinics are coming this summer in Tannersville (Mr. Z's) and Stroudsburg, Pa., (Weis Markets). CareWorks will join Devon Health's national PPO network. Devon Health will promote CareWorks to its extensive client base in Pennsylvania, and offer clients and members access to these popular facilities. CareWorks currently is Devon Health's featured provider.