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Reid Schwartz
EDELMAN
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RediClinic Launches Smoking Cessation Program
12-Week Plan Helps Patients Kick-Start Their New Life as Non-Smokers
August 10, 2009 (HOUSTON, TX) – RediClinic LLC announced today the launch of a new effective, convenient and affordable program to help people quit smoking. The four-visit Stop Smoking for Good® plan, available at all RediClinic locations in Austin and Houston, offers customers two customizable treatment plans (nicotine replacement and non-nicotine), as well as the option for patients to begin by testing their ‘real’ lung age.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use is the leading cause of disease, disability and death in the United States. The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths annually, or nearly one of every five deaths. Of the 45 million U.S. adult smokers, 70 percent report that they want to quit completely, but only a small percentage are successful.
“With RediClinic’s Stop Smoking for Good® program, Houston and Austin residents finally have easy access to an effective and affordable program that is administered by trained healthcare professionals and customized for each patient’s individual needs,” said Web Golinkin, chief executive officer of RediClinic.
The basic program includes four visits within a three month period, with additional visits scheduled as needed. During the first visit, the clinician works with the patient to determine whether a nicotine replacement or non-nicotine plan is likely to be most successful.
Individuals on the nicotine replacement plan receive a customized program that incorporates the use of aides such as the nicotine patch or gum, as well as over-the-counter medicines to help overcome the addiction. Those who opt for the non-nicotine plan receive a customized and closely monitored program that includes prescription drugs which have been clinically proven to double a person’s likelihood of quitting.
A spirometry test is recommended for all patients beginning RediClinic’s 12-week smoking cessation programs, as it helps identify the ‘real’ age of their lungs and gives patients and their clinicians another benchmark which can be used to measure the success of the programs.
RediClinic’s certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide regular physical examinations, counseling and support, and educational materials to help patients achieve their smoking cessation goal, and RediClinic clinicians also are available beyond the 12-week program for ongoing support.
The Stop Smoking for Good® program is only one of many services offered at your local RediClinic. The clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work with local physicians to diagnose, treat and prescribe medications for common conditions such as earaches, strep throats and upper respiratory infections. RediClinic’s clinicians also administer a wide range of preventive services, including health screenings, vaccinations and basic physical exams, including back-to-school vaccinations and physicals
RediClinic visits are covered by the five largest commercial health insurance carriers in Texas: Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, CIGNA, Humana and UnitedHealthcare, and a growing number of other third-party payers including Medicare. For those without health insurance or who are covered by a plan that does not have an agreement with RediClinic, all “Get Healthy” visits cost $75, including most instant diagnostic tests that may be required.
About RediClinic LLC
Since 1989, RediClinic has provided people with easy access to high-quality, affordable healthcare in retail outlets and at employer worksites. Today the company operates 21 clinics in H-E-B grocery stores in Houston and Austin, Texas. For more information about clinic locations, hours of operation, services, and prices visit www.rediclinic.com.
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