MINNEAPOLIS, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest provider of retail health care in the United States, announced that it has become a participating provider in all insurance plans offered by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. CareFirst is the largest health care insurer in the mid-Atlantic region. MinuteClinic was previously a participating provider with CareFirst's preferred provider and federal employee plans in Maryland only. Nearly 3.4 million CareFirst members now have in-network access to MinuteClinic health care centers located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Maryland and portions of northern Virginia in the CareFirst service area. "This is an important development in the growth of our business in Maryland and Northern Virginia as we expand access to care to new customers," said Chip Phillips, MinuteClinic president. "By offering high quality treatment in a convenient setting, we are working with CareFirst to help reduce health care insurance expenses for its members as well as time spent away from members' families and the workplace." MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by masters-prepared, board-certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions when clinically indicated for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus and Hepatitis A are also available. MinuteClinic retail locations are open seven days a week. No appointment is necessary. MinuteClinic nurse practitioners utilize nationally recognized medical protocols to diagnose and treat health conditions. With the patient's consent, treatment information is shared with his or her primary care physician to facilitate continuity of care. In addition, patients can also download their MinuteClinic visit summary to an electronic personal health record. About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield In its 72nd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care organization which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. For more information, visit http://www.carefirst.com/. About MinuteClinic Minneapolis-based MinuteClinic is a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE:CVS), the No. 1 provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the nation. MinuteClinic launched the first retail health care centers in the United States in 2000 and is the first provider to establish a national presence with about 500 locations in 25 states. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. The company has generated more than 4 million patient visits, with a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating. A recognized leader in the patient-centric health care movement, MinuteClinic consistently brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for clinical quality that exceed the national guidelines established for store-based clinics by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MinuteClinic is the first retail health care provider to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.minuteclinic.com/. DATASOURCE: MinuteClinic CONTACT: Brent Burkhardt for MinuteClinic, +1-410-986-1303, , or Christine Cramer for CVS Caremark, +1-401-770-3317, Web Site: http://www.minuteclinic.com/

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