MINNEAPOLIS, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest provider of retail health care in the United States, announced that it has become a participating provider in all insurance plans offered by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. CareFirst is the largest health care insurer in the mid-Atlantic region.

MinuteClinic was previously a participating provider with CareFirst's preferred provider and federal employee plans in Maryland only. Nearly 3.4 million CareFirst members now have in-network access to MinuteClinic health care centers located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Maryland and portions of northern Virginia in the CareFirst service area.

'This is an important development in the growth of our business in Maryland and Northern Virginia as we expand access to care to new customers,' said Chip Phillips, MinuteClinic president. 'By offering high quality treatment in a convenient setting, we are working with CareFirst to help reduce health care insurance expenses for its members as well as time spent away from members' families and the workplace.'

MinuteClinic health care centers are staffed by masters-prepared, board-certified nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions when clinically indicated for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus and Hepatitis A are also available. MinuteClinic retail locations are open seven days a week. No appointment is necessary.

MinuteClinic nurse practitioners utilize nationally recognized medical protocols to diagnose and treat health conditions. With the patient's consent, treatment information is shared with his or her primary care physician to facilitate continuity of care. In addition, patients can also download their MinuteClinic visit summary to an electronic personal health record.