That, but also the severe contraction in the supply of general practitioners.
So say you’re a parent with a kid who’s been up screaming all night with an ear infection or sore/strep throat. You call the pediatricians office when they open at 8 or 9 and sure, they’ve got a slot free. At 3pm. You going to take that or just run to the nearest Little Clinic?
Now consider that your Pediatric practice just lost it’s two most senior docs to retirement, without replacement. So they can’t see you until 3pm tomorrow afternoon ...
I agree. I used one of their mini-clinics when I was on a business trip and didn’t have time to sit and wait in an urgent care.
There’s a sign up front telling you if you think you have this, this or that, (think it was ear aches, flu, colds, sore throats and a few other things) we can see you and if it’s more serious, you need to see your doc or urgent care or ER. I was glad they had that upfront because people with something more serious SHOULD go where they can get lab tests and other such things.
I had a double ear infection and strep throat, got my prescription right in the store and was out within 30 minutes. With insurance I think it cost me $20.