MassGeneral adds CVS primary care to its network

There’s a shortage of primary care in Massachusetts. MassGeneral Brigham is trying to hire more but it’s not enough. Meanwhile CVS is trying to upgrade its MinuteClinic from episodic urgent care to primary care. The resulting hookup is probably not going to make a big difference for anyone, but it might help at the margins with access, care coordination, and cost.

David Williams is quoted in the Boston Globe. CVS and MGB want to join forces to expand primary care in Mass.

David E. Williams, president of the Boston consulting firm Health Business Group, said both CVS Health and MGB likely see different benefits to the partnership.

MinuteClinic, as part of MGB, would gain cachet. “They’re not just a drug store clinic,” Williams said.

MGB, meanwhile, would benefit from MinuteClinic referring patients to the health system for other treatments and services, Williams said.

In recent years, Walgreens and Walmart set up scores of clinics in their stores, with the goal of making health care as convenient as picking up prescription drugs or groceries. But the retail giants soon scrapped or scaled back their efforts, which proved financially challenging.

“It hasn’t been too successful,” Williams, the health care consultant, said of the business model. “The theory is good, but in practice, people don’t want to get their medical care the same place they’re picking up dog food.”