Target follows Walmart into primary care

Following Walmart’s entry earlier this year into primary care, Target is opening four new primary care clinics in Southern California in partnership with Kaiser Permanente.

The clinics will offer pediatric and adolescent care, well-woman care, family planning, and management of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, according to an announcement by Kaiser Permanente and Target.

Licensed nurse practitioners and licensed vocational nurses from Kaiser will staff the new clinics, and physicians will be available for telemedicine consultations.

 “Target is thrilled to welcome all local guests into the new Target Clinics in Southern California. We believe our stores are uniquely equipped to offer guests a comprehensive approach to supporting their wellness needs, including Target Clinic, Target Pharmacy, healthy foods and wellness products,” said Kevin Ronneberg, MD, medical director, Target Corporation. “We look forward to working with Kaiser Permanente to make their exceptional care and services available to the entire community, while ushering in the next generation of health care service models.”

“We’re collaborating with Target because its clinics have a legacy of combining quality and convenience in a way that we think will resonate with both our members and the overall Target guest population,” says Paul Minardi, MD, medical director, Business Management, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Target Clinics in Southern California. “This is the evolution of expanding Kaiser Permanente’s high-quality and holistic care delivery into a setting that will provide patients with wellness support.”

Target currently operates 79 acute care/ wellness clinics in stores nationwide.

Walmart caused a stir last spring when it opened the first of 12 primary care clinics. The clinics, which are owned by the company and staffed by nurse practitioners, provide management for certain chronic conditions. Walmart also operates 100 acute/wellness clinics in stores throughout the U.S.