Take a minute to check offers at drugstore clinics

In last Sunday’s Retail Roundup column, Amanda Codispoti reported that CVS Pharmacy will be opening six Minute Clinics — walk-in clinics inside the drugstore — in Southwest Virginia.

In addition to Minute Clinics accepting various insurance providers and offering evening and weekend hours, there are some other perks shoppers could take advantage of once these locations open.

I have been signed up for Minute Clinic email alerts for months. As the seasons change, new promotions almost always become available to shoppers.

Currently, anyone who stops by to get a flu shot will receive a 20 percent-off CVS shopping pass. Better yet, this offer isn’t limited to one per family — each person who gets a flu vaccine at the clinic will receive a coupon (while supplies last).

Another timely deal is a $10 discount on sports physicals. This is ideal for parents who need to get their student athlete a physical at the last minute .

In August, clinics offered shoppers free coupon booklets valued at $20. These booklets had promotions from Johnson & Johnson, and many of the products were items commonly found on back-to-school lists or in medicine cabinets . Other coupon booklets have been offered in the past for acne products and over-the-counter allergy and cold and flu medications. There’s no purchase necessary to receive a coupon booklet — just stop by the clinic.

According to the website, Minute Clinics have grown in popularity since their predecessor, QuickMedEx centers, opened in 2000. Today there are more than 650 clinics in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Locally, Minute Clinics are planned for Christiansburg, Hollins, Lynchburg, Radford, Roanoke and Salem.

Whether the services offered at CVS Minute Clinics are more or less affordable than visiting an urgent-care location or family physician depends on your insurance. However, a full list of services and their costs can be found online, as well as a list of accepted insurance plans. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. When you’re really in a bind , the extended hours could be valuable .

Will you be taking advantage of the services offered by Minute Clinics? Do you think the prices are competitive? Join the conversation on the Shoptimist blog at blogs.roanoke.com/shoptimist.

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