I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CVS/pharmacy MinuteClinic. I received promotional items as a thank you for participating.
I didn't make any New Year Resolutions for 2014, but that doesn't mean that I don't have any goals! You guys already know that weight loss and living healthier has been a part of my life since I began a diet plan back in 2012. While I am no longer on the diet plan, I am still striving to eat better and get into shape...unfortunately, I gained back about ten pounds after traveling so much last summer and totally indulging in the baked goods I was making during the holidays!
Oh, and there's one other thing...I started smoking again. I know, I know, it's horrible, and no one hates it more than MYSELF. I have been wanting to quit again for some time now, and after my dear friend Kirk passed away a few weeks ago from Cancer, I am more resolved than ever to kick the habit for good!
It can be hard to get help with weight loss and smoking cessation goals when you have to wait weeks to get into a doctor's office. If you're without insurance, like I am, then the costs alone can keep you from addressing your goals with the help of a medical professional. That's why I am so excited to share CVS MinuteClinic with you guys today! I've actually been there to get help from the MinuteClinic Smoking Cessation Program in the past, and it really worked for me - both with my budget and my busy schedule.
When my primary care doctor retired a few years ago, I had a hard time finding a new doctor that I liked. Once we were without health insurance, making doctor's appointments became even more of a bummer...do you know how much doctor's offices charge for routine visits?! Once I found that we had a CVS MinuteClinic near us, I began going there for all of our healthcare needs - luckily, no one in the family suffers from any serious health conditions, so all we've had to deal with is things like getting strep throat, needing physicals for school, etc.
The MinuteClinic is a walk-in clinic located in select CVS/pharmacy stores in 28 states and Washington, DC. They're open 7 days a week with really flexible hours, including evening hours and you don’t even need to make an appointment! While I can't guarantee that you will have the same experience, we have been to the CVS MinuteClinic about 5 times in the last few years, and I've never waited more than an hour, and that was during the height of flu season, with four people in front of me in line.
The CVS MinuteClinic walk-in clinics have physician assistants and nurse practitioners on staff, which is who I usually end up seeing at a regular doctor's office anyway. Don't let that dissuade you from giving them a try if you need to be seen by a medical professional.
They can treat most common family illnesses and injuries, administer vaccinations, conduct physicals and wellness screenings, and offer monitoring for some chronic conditions.
CVS MinuteClinic Walk-in Clinics Services Offered Include:
- Diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat, bladder infections, pink eye and infections of the ears, nose and throat
- Provide common vaccinations for flu, pneumonia, pertussis, and hepatitis, among others
- Treat minor wounds, abrasions, joint sprains and skin conditions such as poison ivy, ringworm and acne
- Provide a wide range of wellness services, including sports and camp physicals, smoking cessation and TB testing
- Offer routine lab tests, instant results and education for those with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or asthma
About that smoking cessation: that's one of my main goals for 2014, and I am happy to know that the CVS MinuteClinic walk-in clinic can help me with that. Seeing a doctor for this help is super expensive, but it only costs $59.00 at the CVS MinuteClinic, and the cost of the medication, if any is prescribed, is additional.
The MinuteClinic Smoking Cessation Program includes:
- One-on-one consultation with a practitioner, including a nicotine dependence assessment.
- Individualized smoking cessation plan and education based on your needs and goals.
- Ongoing coaching and support in your efforts to quit smoking.
- Nicotine-replacement recommendations or prescriptions written when clinically appropriate.
You can find detailed information about the services provided by the CVS MinuteClinic, along with prices, on the CVS website. Not only do they offer great prices, but they also work with major insurance carriers too, so if you have insurance, you can still get a great deal!
I know I'm not the only person who wants to lose weight and get into better shape this year, right? I'm thinking about giving the MinuteClinic Weight Loss Program a try this year to help me get back down into a healthy weight. Losing weight can be so difficult on your own, I know that I personally did a lot better when I was working with a doctor on a specific weight loss plan.
The Weight Loss Program at MinuteClinic is a personalized program that provides ongoing coaching and medical supervision. Based on the popular DASH diet, "DASH for Health," it has been ranked #1 Overall Diet by U.S. News & World Report for three years in a row. It's an easy to follow program that focuses on healthy eating and it's clinically proven to promote weight loss. I don't know about you, but that word PROVEN is a big deal for me! According to the CVS MinuteClinic website, the initial assessment is $69,00, and that includes a membership to DASH for Health™, an online resource to help you stay on course inbetween visits to MinuteClinic. Subsequent visits are $59.00 each. I used to pay my doctor $120.00 per visit every two weeks when I was on my previous weight loss plan, so that would be a huge savings for me! And the CVS MinuteClinic Weight Loss Program is covered by most insurance plans, so if you are considering using it, you should contact your insurance company to verify coverage and find out what YOUR price will be.
My recent trip to Las Vegas made me realize just how out of shape I've become in the past few months...at the end of a group horseback ride in Red Rock Canyon, a bunch of the photographers ran up a hill to take photos of the sunset, and I was seriously unable to make the hike. I know it's partially due to being a smoker, but my overall fitness was the main issue!
I really want to be able to do more things outdoors and be able to keep up with my friends when we do outdoor activities. I miss out on so much fun by being out of shape, and my lung capacity just sucks from smoking for so long. Something has got to give - namely, the cigarettes and the excess weight.
What are your goals for 2014? Is weight loss or smoking cessation at the top of your list?
Don't forget to Connect with MinuteClinic on Twitter at @MinuteClinic!
Mama to 5 BLessings
Love their minute clinic, I have used it several times myself. Your picture is beautiful!
Nicole Brady
I like that CVS has expanded to include the MinuteClinics. I've read a lot about it but it isn't available in my area yet. Someday, I'm sure. Just not yet.
Tammilee
My goal is to get out of my desk chair and back to walking. I feel so out of shape.
I wish we had a CVS minute clinic near us.
Joanna Sormunen
What a great company and service that they offer. I would like to have something similar here. THank you for sharing!
LauraOinAK
Those clinics are so handy for times you don't want to visit the doctor or the ER.
Tara
It's great that they are doing this like other similar pharmacy stores. I love CVS and this is just an added bonus to save from the wait times at the ER or other emergency clinics.
brett
we've used minute clinic many times. super convenient.
i won't be a naggy pants on the smoking, either, but i will encourage you to quit and champion your efforts to do so any day of the week <3
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I actually love going to the Minute Clinic when I'm sick. There is always a ridiculous wait at my regular doctor's office and at the Minute Clinic, I always get right in. It's so easy and quick. I had no idea they had these other services, though. That's great to know!
Chrysa
Ok, Jenn - - You MUST succeed with that smoking cessation!!! You're too great person to lose to the effects of smoking!! Come on - you know you can do it! (My dad died of smoking at age 50 - it totally sucks.)
Joanna Sormunen
Sounds like a great company and awesome program. I would love to use their services. If they only were a bit closer...
Liz
Noooooo, you were doing so darn well! At least you know you can do it again and it will probably be easier this time. I didn't realize the clinic had support for smoking cessation. That's great!
Lindsey
MC is SO convenient. It's super close, the wait is never more than how long you'd wait for your REAL doctor and the service is great!
katherine bartlett
The minute clinic sure sounds awesome! It's perfect to not have to go to the ER
Angela
There is supposed to be a Minute Clinic opening in Augusta soon. I am looking forward to it.