MinuteClinic launches walk-in clinics in two Maine CVS stores

Maine residents will now have easy access to high-quality medical care with the opening of the first MinuteClinics in the state this week.

The retail-based medical clinics are in CVS stores located in Portland and South Portland. In addition to offering wellness services such as screenings and monitoring for chronic conditions, the clinics can diagnose and write prescriptions for common illnesses, treat minor injuries, and provide common vaccinations.

MinuteClinic is known for its convenience as the clinics are open seven days a week and into the evening, require no appointments and accept most insurances.

"We know there is a need for more accessible and affordable health care in Maine, and we believe the demand for MinuteClinic services will continue to grow due, in part, to the shortage of primary care physicians, the aging Baby Boomer population and the influx of newly insured patients through the Affordable Care Act," Andrew Sussman, president of MinuteClinic and executive vice president/associate chief medical officer of CVS Health, said.

Since launching in 2000, MinuteClinic has become the nation's biggest retail health provider with more than 1,000 walk-in medical clinics in CVS stores across 33 states and the District of Columbia.