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Approximately 80 percent of surveyed locations offer primary care, now available at more than 65 percent of MinuteClinic locations.
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health ® (NYSE: CVS) today announced that MinuteClinic®, the retail medical clinic with locations inside select CVS Pharmacy stores across the U.S., has earned its seventh consecutive Joint Commission Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation. For the first time, the accreditation survey included evaluation of MinuteClinic primary care locations under Medical Center standards, reflecting MinuteClinic's expansion into delivering high-quality primary care. In 2006, MinuteClinic became the first retail clinic in the country to earn Joint Commission accreditation and has held it continuously for two decades.
The Gold Seal of Approval ® signals that Joint Commission has found an organization's care to be safe and high-quality. This accreditation, valid for up to three years, applies to medical services at more than 800 MinuteClinic locations nationwide as well as MinuteClinic Virtual Care™. This year's survey took a close look at MinuteClinic's growing adult primary care practice and aligned health system affiliations as well as its expanded behavioral health and virtual care offerings, and improvements to electronic health record safety and interoperability.
The Gold Seal of Approval ® signals that Joint Commission has found an organization's care to be safe and high-quality. This accreditation, valid for up to three years, applies to medical services at more than 800 MinuteClinic locations nationwide as well as MinuteClinic Virtual Care™. This year's survey took a close look at MinuteClinic's growing adult primary care practice and aligned health system affiliations as well as its expanded behavioral health and virtual care offerings, and improvements to electronic health record safety and interoperability.
First evaluation under Medical Center standards
Joint Commission Medical Center standards place greater emphasis on longitudinal care, referrals and follow-up, diagnostic testing results, and the delivery and continuity of care within a primary care model. Approximately 80 percent of the MinuteClinic locations surveyed offer primary care, and these locations were evaluated under Medical Center standards. More than 65 percent of MinuteClinic locations now offer primary care to patients 18 and older through health system and payer affiliations.
The accreditation signals to patients, payers and the health care community that as MinuteClinic grows into primary care, it's held to the same rigorous standards for provision of care, infection control, medication management, lab test quality and safety, and other critical aspects of care expected of medical center settings.
"As MinuteClinic's focus on primary care grows, we're not loosening our grip on the rigor that's defined us for 20 years; we're extending it," said Jon Thiboutot, President of Retail Health at CVS Health. "Our first evaluation under Medical Center standards confirms that our foundation is only getting stronger as we take on more longitudinal and preventive care-focused relationships with the patients and communities we serve."
Site evaluations assessed patient care
From July 13 to 17, 2026, Joint Commission surveyors conducted a rigorous, on-site evaluation of more than 80 MinuteClinic sites across 17 states and Washington, D.C., reviewing MinuteClinic's performance in areas including care coordination, electronic health record use, infection prevention and control, medication management, and patient education and safety. Surveyors also assessed MinuteClinic's longitudinal primary care model, including processes that support ongoing patient relationships, care planning and preventive care. The review extended to MinuteClinic's virtual care offerings, including behavioral health.
"The best health care is accessible, affordable and comprehensive, caring for the whole person," said David Fairchild, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of Retail Health at CVS Health. "MinuteClinic was built on the promise of quality care when and where patients need it, and our evolution into primary care extends that promise. We are excited to grow our practice guided by the Joint Commission-validated standards our clinicians have relied on for the past two decades."
The accreditation carries the Gold Seal of Approval ®, which signals that Joint Commission has found an organization's care to be safe and high-quality. Valid for up to three years, it applies to medical services at more than 800 MinuteClinic locations nationwide and MinuteClinic Virtual Care™.
"Joint Commission congratulates MinuteClinic for achieving accreditation by demonstrating its focus on delivering safe and effective care of the highest quality and value," says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, Joint Commission. "Through the accreditation process, we worked closely with MinuteClinic to enable and affirm the highest standards of healthcare quality and patient safety. Together, we are elevating care for all patients, and we appreciate MinuteClinic's collaboration throughout this process."
Joint Commission, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, accredits more than 2,200 organizations under its Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation program, developing its standards with health care experts, providers, measurement specialists and patients.
MinuteClinic care network
MinuteClinic is one of the nation's largest networks of board-certified advanced practice providers, offering adult primary care as well as 195 additional health services for patients 18 months and older.
Nurse practitioners and physician associates provide prevention and wellness services at MinuteClinic, including weight-loss and women's health services, plus monitoring and management for chronic, cardiometabolic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. MinuteClinic's Virtual Care services are available 24/7 nationwide, giving patients quick access to care for common illnesses, chronic disease management and prescription refills.
MinuteClinic providers also diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses as well as administer immunizations and treat wounds, sprains, skin conditions and more.
MinuteClinic's in-clinic Net Promoter Score (NPS) of more than 80 places it among the top performers in health care, an industry where scores generally range from +30 to +50 and anything above +70 is considered "world class."
Most major health insurance is accepted at MinuteClinic, and affordable self-pay options are available. Patients can schedule online at www.minuteclinic.com or through the CVS Health app seven days a week at most locations or visit a clinic for walk-in care.
About CVS Health CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company's integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.