Take Care Health SystemsSM Announces a National Contract with Humana Offering Affordable and Convenient Health Care for Health Plan Members
Patients covered by Humana Can Now Visit Any Take Care Health Center Across the Country and Just Pay a Standard Co-Pay
09.26.06
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA (September 26, 2006) Take Care Health Systems today announced that Humana's members can now add Take Care Health Systems to their list of affordable health care options. The health benefits company has added Take Care Health, a leading independent operator of convenient care clinics, to its roster of national network providers.
"Humana members now have another high-quality, affordable and convenient in-network health care choice," said Take Care Health President and CEO Peter Miller. "National coverage from this leading health insurer is further evidence that this new generation of care is an important part of the future of health care in America."
Take Care Health's goal is to provide accessible, high-quality and affordable health care to consumers in convenient locations. By accepting the majority of insurance plans in the markets where the company operates, and by adding national contracts to its list of plans, Take Care Health has quickly become a more affordable and convenient option for patients across the country. The agreement includes certain PPO plans and does not include Humana HMO members.
Take Care Health currently operates health care clinics located inside retail pharmacies. The company partners with major retail pharmacies such as Walgreens and Eckerd Pharmacy, and operates clinics in Kansas City, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. In addition, Take Care Health expects to open clinics in Chicago with Walgreens this fall, with plans to expand to 200 centers by mid-2007 and more than 1,000 centers in U.S. cities by 2009. All Take Care Health locations across the country – those in operation and those that the company is expanding to — are now in-network providers for Humana members.
Take Care Nurse Practitioners (TCNPs) diagnose and treat common family illnesses such as ear infections, sore throat, pink eye, allergies, poison ivy and upper respiratory infections for patients over 18 months old. They are licensed to write prescriptions when medically necessary. The TCNPs also administer basic diagnostic screenings and vaccinations for Flu, Meningitis and Hepatitis B and Tetanus.
Take Care Health Centers are professional clinics with two patient examination rooms, fully equipped with sinks and exam tables, located directly next to the pharmacy. The clinics are open seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. For Humana patients and others with insurance accepted at the clinic, the cost is generally an office visit co-pay. For uninsured patients, the average fee ranges from $59-$74 per visit. Take Care Health Centers also accept most Medicaid and Medicare plans.
Through a patient-first philosophy, TCNPs work in a team-based approach with medical communities in the markets where they operate, to maintain optimal referral networks and integration of care for their patients. They use an electronic medical record system, providing printed copies of the visit record to the patient, and faxing or communicating with the patient's primary care provider upon request.
About Take Care Health SystemsSM
Take Care Health Systems (www.takecarehealth.com) of Conshohocken, Pa., a leading independent operator of convenient care clinics, is bringing high-quality, convenient and affordable health care to all Americans. Take Care Health's vision to combine best practices in medicine and the expertise and personal care of Take Care Nurse Practitioners (TCNPs) with world-class customer service is filling a critical need in America by providing easy access to health care. Take Care Health Centers are located inside national retail pharmacies where TCNPs focus exclusively on diagnosis, treatment, screening and vaccinations for common family illnesses. Take Care Health collaborates with the medical communities in the markets where it operates and supports the guidelines for convenient care clinics, set forth by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with more than 11 million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services – through traditional and consumer-choice plans – to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.
Key Contacts:
Tracey Belko
for Take Care Health Systems
212-446-1899
tbelko@sloanepr.com