Kroger Health Launches New Senior-focused Primary Care in Eight Clinics in Atlanta
Kroger Health is expanding its senior-focused primary care services through a collaboration with Better Health Group. Starting May 14, 2024, these services will be available at eight locations of The Little Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. This initiative aims to address the growing healthcare needs of seniors, particularly in medically underserved counties. The services include annual wellness visits, preventive care, disease management, personalized care plans, and access to Kroger Health's additional services like nutrition counseling and comprehensive medication reviews. This effort primarily targets Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare beneficiaries, aiming to improve health outcomes and patient experience.
- Kroger Health is expanding primary care services to seniors in Atlanta.
- Eight new clinic locations within Kroger stores will offer these services.
- Partnership with Better Health Group enhances service quality.
- Targets both Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare beneficiaries.
- Focuses on underserved counties, increasing healthcare access.
- Includes comprehensive services: wellness visits, preventive care, disease management, nutrition counseling, and medication reviews.
- Aims to improve health outcomes and patient experience.
- Potential financial strain due to expanded services and partnerships.
- Operational challenges in managing new clinics effectively.
- Risk of insufficient patient volume to justify expansion costs.
- Dependence on Medicare reimbursements could affect profitability.
Insights
The collaboration between Kroger Health and Better Health Group to launch senior-focused primary care services is a noteworthy development that could influence both healthcare and retail sectors. This approach aims to provide comprehensive and value-based care to seniors, a demographic that naturally has more frequent healthcare needs compared to younger populations.
The move aligns with the growing trend of integrating value-based care within retail settings, which aims to improve health outcomes while controlling costs. Value-based care focuses on providing coordinated and efficient healthcare services aimed at better patient outcomes rather than the volume of services rendered. Such models are particularly beneficial for seniors with chronic conditions that require continuous management.
This initiative's potential short-term benefits include increased patient traffic to Kroger stores, potentially boosting in-store sales of pharmaceuticals and health-related products. In the long term, however, the success of this venture will depend heavily on the quality of care provided and the satisfaction of the patients. If successful, it can position Kroger Health as a formidable player in the senior care market, potentially opening doors for further expansions in other regions.
For investors, this development signals a strategic move by Kroger Health to diversify its revenue streams and tap into the lucrative healthcare market. It also reflects a broader industry trend where retail giants are increasingly blurring the lines between traditional retail and healthcare services.
The launch of senior-focused primary care services by Kroger Health, in collaboration with Better Health Group, presents significant financial implications for The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR). By expanding into the healthcare sector, Kroger is diversifying its revenue streams, which could mitigate risks associated with the highly competitive grocery retail market.
The focus on Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare beneficiaries is particularly strategic. Medicare Advantage plans have been growing in popularity, with enrollment numbers increasing year over year. This demographic is also more likely to require frequent medical services, suggesting a steady stream of revenue from this venture.
However, investors should also consider the initial costs and potential challenges associated with this expansion. Establishing a healthcare service involves significant upfront investments in infrastructure, staffing and technology. Additionally, the regulatory environment for healthcare is complex and could pose risks if not managed correctly.
In the short term, the financial performance of these clinics may not significantly impact Kroger’s overall earnings. However, if the model proves successful, it could pave the way for further expansion and potentially a new, stable revenue source, positively affecting Kroger’s stock value in the long run.
The expansion of value-based care offerings through The Little Clinic will help address the growing healthcare needs of seniors in
"Offering seniors a place to receive care that's expertly provided and convenient is paramount," said James Kirby, chief commercial officer at Kroger Health. "Kroger Health is committed to providing the personalized care our senior citizens deserve, and we make addressing their specific and unique needs a top priority. We are thrilled to provide coordinated senior-focused primary care in the greater
At these eight Atlanta TLC locations patients will have access to extended in-person visits with a primary care provider to address their healthcare needs. Available services will range from annual wellness visits, preventive care, disease management, customized care plans, and the option to access to Kroger Health services such as nutrition counseling and comprehensive medication reviews.
"We are pleased to enhance the care already provided by Kroger Health," said Mike Polen, CEO of Better Health Group. "This collaboration will create an avenue for seniors to receive the individualized, quality care they need and deserve. It will also allow Better Health Group to continue increasing our reach and spreading our mission to transform sick care into better health care across the nation."
The collaboration with Better Health Group will complement Kroger Health's commitment to its customers looking for a more human approach to health. This offering will also increase access to value-based care focusing first on Medicare Advantage members and traditional Medicare beneficiaries.
To learn more about Kroger Health's senior primary care services, visit www.Kroger.com/seniorcare.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit™. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
About Kroger Health:
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., is one of America's leading retail healthcare organizations. Kroger Health and the Kroger Family of Pharmacies and clinics operate more than 2,200 pharmacies and 226 clinics in 35 states serving more than 17 million customers annually. Our team of 24,000 healthcare practitioners, including pharmacists, nurse practitioners, dietitians and technicians, believe in practicing at the top of our licenses, enabling "food as medicine" to help prevent disease before it starts, and helping people live healthier lives. For more information, visit www.kroger.com/health.
About Better Health Group
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.
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