EHC to Partner with Urgent Care Clinics

Emory Healthcare has announced that they have entered into a new partnership with two urgent care companies, Peachtree Immediate Care and SmartCare Urgent Care. They are also expanding their relationship with MinuteClinic of CVS Health. Below are the details of these new partnerships which are designed to provide patients with greater access to the care they need when they need it:

• Peachtree Immediate Care, operated by CRH Healthcare, has 16 urgent care locations across metro Atlanta and one facility in LaGrange. SmartCare Urgent Care operates four locations. While staff and physicians will not be EHC employees, patients can expect to receive the same high-quality care.
  
  
• The urgent care providers will be members of the Emory Healthcare Network. As such, they will be linked to EHC’s electronic medical record system, which means EHC providers and the urgent care providers will have access to the same important patient health information. They are not connected to the EHC medical record system yet, but will be in the near future.
  
  
• Depending on the type of insurance, patients who seek care at one of these urgent care facilities can expect to pay a co-pay similar to that of a primary care visit, rather than an emergency room visit. Employees on an Emory benefit plan will pay the cost of a primary care co-pay visit.
  
  
• In 2011, EHC entered a clinical collaboration with MinuteClinic’s 31 retail medical clinics, which have now expanded to 38 locations across metro Atlanta. These clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners, and Emory physicians serve as medical directors for each location. They will also be connected to EHC’s electronic medical record in the near future.

Combined, these clinics add 59 new locations across metro Atlanta where patients can get convenient, compassionate, on-demand care. All of the urgent care clinics coming onboard will have the same quality standards as other members of the Emory Healthcare Network.

Where to Go

• MinuteClinic: Delivers convenient, affordable care for non-urgent illnesses and injuries, provides wellness (vaccinations, physicals, screenings) and monitors chronic conditions.
  
  
• Urgent care: Treats non-life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention such as flu, minor surgical procedures, stitches, broken bones, IV fluids and physicals. Lab and digital X-ray capabilities are located on-site.
  
  
• Emergency department: Expert care for life-threatening conditions and severe injuries. Patients experiencing signs or symptoms of stroke, heart attack or other life-threatening emergencies should always seek care in an emergency department.

Click here for more information on where to seek care.