TUESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Store-based health clinics that are owned or operated in conjunction with large pharmacy chains should be scrutinized for potential conflicts of interest, according to a resolution passed at the American Medical Association's annual meeting in Chicago.
In addition, insurance companies should not be allowed to waive co-payments for patients who seek treatment at such health clinics.
"Health insurers are allowing store-based health clinics to waive or lower patient co-payments, while forcing physicians to collect these fees," said AMA board member Peter Carmel, M.D., in a statement.
The AMA will ask for state and federal regulators to investigate such clinics to determine potential conflicts of interest and to see if patients are at risk. It will also work to develop legislative guidelines for such clinics.
"There are clear incentives for retailers to participate in the implementation and operation of store-based health clinics," said Carmel. "The nation's physicians want the AMA to ensure these incentives do not compromise the basic obligation of store-based health clinics to provide patients with quality care."
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