Competition won't ail you

The convenient-care clinic model arose from the mitmatch between what consumers need and what the Health care System was offering them.

QuickMedx runs stripped-down medical clinics in Cub Foods stores in the Twin Cities. Patients pay a flat $35 fee, and the clinics try to get people in and out in 15 minutes.

The clinics can charge lower fees than other clinics because they use nurse practitioners who diagnose and prescribe medications for about a dozen common ailments. They refer more complicated problems elsewhere.

This year marks the first time since opening in May 2000 that the company is taking its kiosk outside of a grocery store. Whitman said a local corporation — yet to be announced — has invited QuickMedx to open a clinic on its campus