CVS MinuteClinic surpasses 25 million patients

CVS Health's MinuteClinic announced Tuesday that it has surpassed 25 million patients since opening in 2000.

According to the announcement, the clinic is one of the largest providers of limited-service health care and there are plans to open more than 100 clinic locations during 2015. They predict operating over 1,500 clinics by 2017.

"We've seen MinuteClinic evolve from a limited service treating just seven acute illnesses to become a high quality health care provider that now offers 65 services and vaccinations," Andrew Sussman, MinuteClinic President and Executive Vice President and Associate Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health, said. "As we look to the future, we will continue to expand our service offerings."

MinuteClinic was acquired by CVS Corp. in 2006. It has locations in 31 states across the country, having opened locations in Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Wisconsin in the previous nine months.

"The need for more accessible and affordable health care services offered at retail clinics is greater than ever as the medical profession addresses the primary care shortage, changes brought by health care reform and the needs of our aging population," Sussman said.

The clinic and CVS Health collaborates with numerous hospitals and health systems across the country, facilitating coordinated care between primary care and service. They also have collaborations with CVS pharmacists. MinuteClinic is also implementing electronic health records that can be shared with patients can have shared with their primary doctors or other health care providers.