FEED-BACK.COM E-ZINE
November / December 2008
Volume 11 Issue 6
"Convenient Care" Markets
Whether you refer to them as "convenient care" or "retail" clinics, the idea is to deliver basic medical services to patients who walk in and need:
- Diagnosis / treatment of common ailments
- Immunizations
- Routine screening or testing
Introduction
The concept was first implemented in 2000 by MinuteClinic (now a subsidiary of CVS Corporation). By mid-November, a total of 1,133 convenient care facilities were operated by 49 companies in 38 states. [1] The number of locations has grown steadily in 2008, despite a brief slow-down that occurred mid-year.
The Competitive Landscape
In recent years, three competitors have dominated the market with respect to the total number of clinics operated by each entity: MinuteClinic, Take Care Health Systems, and RediClinic. The following figure illustrates their market share standings (by clinic numbers) in relation to other operators, as of mid-November 2008. [2]
The Market
A market report published in 2007 anticipated significant growth for the convenient care market and projected that as many as 6,000 facilities might be in operation by 2012. [3] Historical and current estimates suggest a more conservative outlook. From January through mid-November 2008, approximately 212 clinics entered the market. [4] If a similar growth rate is sustained during the next four years, 2,200 clinics would be added to the market through 2012. The big question is whether existing clinics will become profitable and drive expansion.
[1] Merchant Medicine.
[2] Press releases and corporate literature.
[3] "The Convenient Care Clinic Market USA 2007", Research and Markets.
[4] Estimated from Merchant Medicine data.
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