Kandee Denise Coates
February 16, 2007Ruthie Mae “Betty” Smith
February 22, 2007
A new primary care clinic opened Wednesday at the Wal-Mart on Grand Calliou Road in Houma.
CheckUps has opened five clinics at Wal-Mart locations throughout Southern Louisiana. The clinics are “designed to offer a low cost, convenient alternative to emergency rooms and doctors offices,” said Andree LeBlanc Loomis, lead nurse practitioner at the Houma CheckUps.
The clinic is open seven days a week, she said, noting “We can write and refill prescriptions, and we are available on a walk-in basis.”
There are currently 22 CheckUps locations in Wal-Marts across the country, with more locations being planned.
Bill Armstrong, CheckUps spokesman said, “Our intention is to be part of a solution to a critical national problem. That is, CheckUps wants to be part of increasing access to medical care for the nation’s uninsured and underinsured.”
CheckUps clinics are staffed with two nurse practitioners, two full-time assistants and two part-time assistants at each location.
According to Melissa Billiot, nursing assistant at the Houma CheckUps, each clinic maintains relationships with local physicians for referral purposes.
CheckUps offers a wide range of non-critical medical services including vaccinations, diagnostics, and screenings. “We can perform full physicals, diagnose and treat minor medical problems, and we perform basic lab work right here on the premises,” said Loomis.
Shauntrell Berry, district manager for all five Southern Louisiana CheckUps, said the clinic accepts cash, checks, credit cards and most types of insurance for services.
“We expect to get approval for Medicaid shortly,” she explained.
The clinic’s easy access n to services and medical records n is a one unique aspect for customers, the staff agreed.
“We feature a paperless environment. One swipe of your insurance card or driver’s license and we’ll be able to access all of your medical records,” Berry said. “We also communicate directly with the Wal-Mart pharmacy and optometry clinic. We offer real convenience.
“We can diagnose a patient, write them a prescription, and send it to the pharmacy. [Customers] can shop while their prescription is being prepared. And they can do it all at Wal-Mart,” she explained.
Staff photo by RAY SNIDER • Tri-Parish Times * Audree LeBlanc Loomis and Nursing Assistant Melissa Billiot, of CheckUps, are serving customers at the Grand Calliou Road Wal-Mart.
