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CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp. has made NowClinic Online Care, a “virtual” health clinic service, available at more of its stores.
Earlier this month the drug chain said NowClinic Online Care is now being offered at an additional 58 of its pharmacies in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
NowClinic Online Care gives customers real-time access to quality and convenient medical care, information and resources from doctors and OptumHealth nurses. Rite Aid was the first to provide a virtual clinic in a retail pharmacy setting in 2011, when the company introduced NowClinic Online Care services in nine Detroit pharmacies.
“Given the rapidly changing health care landscape, we believe that telehealth services, such as our NowClinic Online Care service, will play an extremely important role in the health care of the future,” commented Robert Thompson, Rite Aid’s executive vice president of pharmacy.
“Rite Aid’s NowClinic Online Care services provide customers with convenient, affordable and efficient access to medical care, whenever and wherever they need it. We are excited to bring NowClinic Online Care services to our customers in these markets as part of our continued mission to help them live healthier, happier lives.”
Using the Internet, Rite Aid customers can have private, one-on-one consultations via secure video, chat or phone with doctors who can discuss symptoms, provide guidance, diagnose and prescribe certain medications when appropriate.
Customers can also interact with OptumHealth nurses, who can address a range of health care needs, such as basic health care education, information on common acute issues and assistance in identifying appropriate provider options for care.
A customer record is automatically captured at the end of each interaction and is available for immediate sharing with a primary care provider, maintaining continuity of care.
Customers can also access NowClinic Online Care services 24/7 by visiting www.myNowClinic.com/RiteAid, which is considered especially convenient when customers are not able to visit a doctor’s office or when their doctor’s office or their local Rite Aid are not open.
Conversations with nurses are complimentary, and a 10-minute consultation with a doctor costs $45.
