CVS Health closing MinuteClinic locations in Utah

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

CVS will be closing its three Utah MinuteClinic locations this week, with facilities in Highland, Ogden and West Jordan slated for closure by Saturday.

In a statement shared with Healthcare Finance News, CVS said it regularly evaluates MinuteClinic's footprint "to ensure it meets the demands of our patients and aligns with our healthcare delivery strategy."

"As a result, we made the difficult decision to close our three MinuteClinic locations in Utah by December 7 to help support future growth and design the next evolution of community health destinations," the company said.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

CVS said patients will still be able to go to the 30-plus CVS Pharmacy locations in Utah for flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines.

Those who wish to continue using MinuteClinic Services can continue accessing MinuteClinic virtual care on-demand. The future of the clinical teams at those locations is somewhat less clear.

"We'll look for opportunities to offer clinical team members different opportunities within the company and those who are not able to find a new role will be offered severance benefits," the company said.

Designed as an alternative to urgent care centers, MinuteClinics provide services such as vaccines, prescriptions and basic care for minor wounds and illnesses.

The three Utah locations offer sports physicals, as well as care for sore and strep throat, while the West Jordan campus also performs COVID-19 testing.

THE LARGER TREND

While CVS Health saw revenues climb 6.3% as compared to last year, its health-benefits segment underperformed, due principally to high utilization. Amid the financial troubles, president and CEO Karen Lynch stepped down from her position in October.

She has been replaced by Caremark president David Joyner, who became president and CEO effective October 17. Joyner also joined the board of directors.

CVS warned that its coming earnings will once again fall short of Wall Street expectations, sending shares of the company down 13% in premarket trading.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.