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June 27, 2006
AMA Retail Clinic Guidelines will benefit Health Savings Account owners
The American Medical Association announced it has adopted a set of principles to help ensure that health savings account owners, and all patients who visit retail-based health clinics receive "optimal" health care.
The AMA's eight guidelines are generally broad, asking the in-store clinics to follow state laws and general medical protocols.
The clinics should also establish ways to interact with local physicians, use electronic health records, inform patients of nurse practitioners' qualifications and keep the facilities sanitary and hygienic.
The guidelines do not address specifics, such as how many clinics a physician should be allowed to supervise.
Walgreen Co. will open its first in-store health clinics nationwide this summer in St. Louis and Kansas City. The clinics will be operated by Take Care Health Systems of Conshohocken, Pa.
The 10 clinics are believed to be among the first of their kind in the St. Louis area, and part of a trend by pharmacy chains, such as Chicago-based Walgreens, to move beyond their core prescription drug business. Patients will be able to get health screenings, vaccinations and care for common ailments from nurse practitioners -- all without an appointment.
Take Care's nurse practitioners, who will be able to write prescriptions, also will have a relationship with an off-site physicians' group, as mandated by state law. Still, some physicians have scoffed at the idea of nurse practitioners having so much autonomy.
A 2005 Harris Interactive poll found 78 percent of the public thinks the clinics could provide a fast, easy way to receive basic medical services, but 75 percent raised concerns about the quality of care at such clinics.
Posted by Wiley Long at June 27, 2006 10:12 AM
Comments
I contributed to my HSA with my employer earlier this year and left my position in April. I have been contacting them to get reimbursement ($300) of the account for medical expenses that would qualify. After emails and phone calls, I received a note today that they "never set up the accounts for the employees so there are no HSA accounts. So now the issue becomes how to reimburse you the money. If we cut you a check it will have to be taxed, however if you have another HSA you can roll it over to we will do that. "
I'm self employed and don't have an account; I don't believe that they can have it 'taxed' since I have the documentation for the medical expenses. Can you re-direct or help me with my dilemma??
Sincerely,
Jenny
Denver, CO
Posted by: Jennifer at August 23, 2006 01:08 PM