Walk in Clinic business may not be as easy as it appears.

Implications: Yes, WalMart has a large pool of patients. And there are competitive advantages with regard to the convenience of a pharmacy and over the counter remedies. However, having patients is only one piece of the puzzle. The business of medicine is more complex than merely having patients or customers.

Analysis: A walk in clinic inside WalMart or any other retail store, would face eight challenges. 1) A portion of our population expects to receive free healthcare. There is no such expectation in any other industry. Even a person in a low income group expects that they have to pay for their gasoline and clothes. 2) Such a clinic would need to master up front collections. If the patient has insurance, copays and deductibles must be quickly determined and asked for. For those without insurance, an estimated bill must be quickly determined and asked for. 3) Patient registration must be accurate. A segment of the population is accustomed to providing false or misleading demographic or contact information. 4) Where does the patient go for diagnostic testing or laboratory work? 5) How long does it take to get an answer? A physician must delay his or her opinion until certain test results are obtained. 6) Will you see the same physician the second time you visit? Many people prefer some type of relationship. 7) What about staffing? Many WalMarts operate 24/7. The Clinic cannot afford to do so. 8) Men, women and children represents distinct business segments. How will the various lines of business be coordinated? If a Walk in Clinic corporation can solve these eight challenges, they may have a very happy relationship with WalMart.