At These Retail Locations, Getting Health Care Is Easy

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The next time you sprain an ankle or catch a bad cold, instead of calling your doctor’s office or visiting an urgent care center, you may want to walk in to your neighborhood drugstore. Health clinics located in drugstores began springing up in the greater Seattle region in 2014 when Bartell Drugs partnered with Group Health to launch CareClinic.

A year later, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) partnered with Providence-affiliated Swedish Health Services to launch Swedish Express Care. “Patients are excited about three things: same-day care, care by a trusted provider and the fact that clinics are open seven days a week,” says Karrie Spitzer, communications manager at Swedish. And Rite Aid launched RediClinic with MultiCare Health System in 2015.

All of the clinics offer a variety of standard tests (such as for sexually transmitted diseases and strep throat) and vaccinations, and treat minor illnesses and injuries, including conditions such as sinus infections, pinkeye, allergies, skin issues, flu and minor burns. They all also accept insurance.

Each clinic is staffed by physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. And for even more convenience, all offer the option of filling prescriptions on site. It’s health care made convenient.

Drugstore and clinic name	Medical affiliation	Number of locations	Cost	Hours
Bartell Drugs, CareClinic bartelldrugs.com/careclinic	Kaiser Permanente	10	Copay with insurance; starts at $75 without insurance	9a.m.–7p.m. daily,including most holidays
Walgreens, Swedish Express Care swedishexpresscare.org/digital	Swedish Health Services	12	Copay with insurance; starts at $139 without insurance	8a.m.–8p.m. daily
Rite Aid, RediClinic rediclinic.com/riteaid	MultiCare Health System	11	Copay with insurance; starts at $89 without insurance (or $19 for some preventive services)	9a.m.8:30p.m. weekdays 9a.m.–6p.m. weekends