CVS MinuteClinic 2026 – Services, Cost & What to Expect

What Is CVS MinuteClinic?

MinuteClinic is the largest network of board-certified retail health providers in the country. They help with many needs, from strep throat to high blood pressure. You can visit them inside CVS Pharmacy stores across the US, so it’s simple to see a provider, fill a prescription, and pick up supplies all at once.

CVS MinuteClinic is a walk-in medical clinic located in many CVS Pharmacy stores across the United States. These clinics make it easy to get care for minor illnesses and preventive needs.

Most locations have licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants who can diagnose common health issues and provide treatment when needed.

The main benefit is that patients can get care quickly without booking long appointments or visiting a hospital. MinuteClinic is open seven days a week, including evenings, when most primary care offices are closed.

What MinuteClinic Treats — Full Service List

Common Illnesses & Infections

• Strep throat: get a rapid test and treatment during the same visit.
• We can help with sinus infections and sinusitis.
• We treat ear infections for adults and children 18 months and older.
• We also treat pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): same-day testing is available at CVS MinuteClinic.
• Flu and COVID-19: testing and treatment available.
• We can help with cold sores and fever blisters.
• We treat skin infections, including cellulitis and impetigo.
• Mono testing.

Vaccinations & Immunizations

• Flu shots are usually given during flu season, but you can get them any time of year.
• COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available.
• We offer the shingles vaccine (Shingrix).
• Pneumonia vaccines are available.
• We provide vaccines for hepatitis A and B.
• Tdap vaccines protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
• Travel vaccines for typhoid and yellow fever are offered at select locations.
• Meningococcal vaccines are also available.
• We offer the HPV vaccine.

Screenings & Health Monitoring

• We monitor your blood pressure to support your health.
• We provide cholesterol screenings to help you manage your heart health. We also offer blood sugar and diabetes screenings to support your overall well-being.
• We assess your body mass index (BMI) to help you better understand your health.
• We provide depression screenings to support your mental health.

Physical Exams

• We provide sports physicals for school and camp. Walk-ins are welcome, and we accept all required forms at CVS MinuteClinic. We also offer yearly wellness exams to help you stay healthy.
• We provide DOT (Department of Transportation) physicals at select locations. We also offer immigration physicals and help with high blood pressure monitoring and management at CVS MinuteClinic.
• We provide diabetes management support.
• We offer asthma management services and follow-up care for high cholesterol.

Mental Health & Weight Management

• Anxiety and depression screening.
• Weight loss consultation. A $29 visit covers the consultation; lab fees are not included. Available at CVS MinuteClinic.
• Consultations for GLP-1 medications (available at some locations).

Women’s Health

• Birth control prescriptions and consultations.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis and treatment.
• Pregnancy tests.
• Vaginal infections (yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis).

Skin Conditions

• Rash checkups, including poison ivy and skin irritation from contact.
• Care for minor burns and wounds.
• Follow-up care for eczema and psoriasis.
• Acne treatment (select locations).

What MinuteClinic Cannot Treat

MinuteClinic treats minor, non-emergency conditions only. They do not provide care for the following:

• ❌ Chest pain or heart attack symptoms. Seek emergency care immediately.
• ❌ Difficulty breathing. Go to the emergency room.
• ❌ Broken bones or fractures. Visit urgent care or the emergency room.
• ❌ Severe abdominal pain.
• ❌ Head injuries or concussions.
• ❌ Sutures or stitches.
• ❌ X-rays or MRI. These services are available at urgent care centres.
• ❌ Management of complex, long-term health conditions requiring a specialist.
• ❌ Children under 18 months.

Reynolds’ guideline is as follows: Use a MinuteClinic for issues typically managed by your primary care doctor during a routine appointment. Choose urgent care for conditions requiring additional equipment, such as X-rays or IV fluids. Reserve the emergency room for true emergencies.

CVS MinuteClinic Cost — 2026 Price Guide

Without Insurance:

Service	Estimated Cost
Basic screening (rapid virus test)	$59
Common vaccinations (flu shot, Tdap)	$69–$139
Simple illness visit (pink eye, sinus infection)	$79–$99
UTI diagnosis and treatment	$89–$109
Strep throat test and treatment	$89–$109
Annual physical exam	$109–$199
Sports/camp physical	$64 (currently $10 off standard price)
Weight loss consultation	$29
Virtual visit (cash pay)	$49

A basic visit to CVS MinuteClinic usually costs between $59 and $129, depending on your medical needs and the treatment you receive. If you do not have insurance, you will need to pay the full amount yourself.

Compared to alternatives:

• Retail clinics like MinuteClinic usually charge much less for basic healthcare than urgent care centres or hospital emergency rooms.
• MinuteClinic: $59–$199
• Urgent care: $100–$300+
• Emergency room: $500–$3,000+
• Primary care visit: $100–$250

With Insurance:

MinuteClinic accepts most insurance plans. Most major plans treat MinuteClinic visits like a regular office or urgent care visit, but you should check your plan’s copay details. For insured patients, copays usually range from $10 to $40, depending on your plan tier.

How To Find A MinuteClinic Near You

• Go to CVS.com/minuteclinic → Find a Clinic.
• Enter your ZIP code or city.
• Choose the services you need, since not every location offers the same options.
• Check the current wait time, which is updated in real time on the website and app.
• You can either walk in or schedule your visit in advance. Both options are available.

Important: Not every CVS has a MinuteClinic. There are over 1,000 MinuteClinic locations across the country, so be sure to check if your local CVS offers this service before you go.

What To Expect At Your Visit

Walk-in process:

1. When you arrive, check in at the MinuteClinic kiosk or at the front desk.
2. Please have your insurance card and ID ready to show.
3. You’ll be asked to fill out a short health questionnaire on a tablet.
4. Wait in the MinuteClinic waiting area, which is separate from the pharmacy.
5. A nurse practitioner or physician assistant will see you. Most visits last about 15 to 30 minutes.
6. You’ll get a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and a prescription if needed.
7. If you receive a prescription, you can fill it at the CVS pharmacy before you leave.

Average wait time:

Walk-in wait times usually range from 15 to 45 minutes during less busy hours. Evenings and weekends are often busier. To save time, you can schedule your visit in advance using CVS.com or the CVS app.

What providers can do:

Our family nurse practitioners and physician assistants are here to help with common illnesses like strep throat, bladder infections, pink eye, and other infections. They can diagnose your condition, provide treatment, and write prescriptions if needed.

MinuteClinic vs. Urgent Care — When to Choose Which

Situation	MinuteClinic	Urgent Care
Strep throat	✅	✅
Flu or COVID testing	✅	✅
UTI	✅	✅
Pink eye	✅	✅
Minor skin infection	✅	✅
Vaccinations	✅ Better	⚠️ Limited
Sports physical	✅ Cheaper	✅
Broken bone	❌	✅
X-ray needed	❌	✅
Stitches needed	❌	✅
Severe pain	❌	✅
Chest pain	❌ Go to ER	❌ Go to ER
Cost (uninsured)	$59–$199	$100–$300+

Does MinuteClinic Accept Medicare and Medicaid?

Yes, MinuteClinic accepts most insurance plans. This includes most Medicare Advantage plans and many Medicaid plans, but coverage can vary by state and plan. If you have Medicare or Medicaid and want to confirm your coverage, please call your MinuteClinic location or check CVS.com before your visit.

Reynolds’ Honest Take

MinuteClinic helps fill a real gap in American healthcare by offering walk-in access to a trained provider seven days a week. It is designed for conditions that are not emergencies but also cannot wait for a primary care appointment.

For issues like strep throat, pink eye, UTIs, flu testing, and routine vaccinations, it is often the fastest and most affordable choice, even if you do not have insurance.

There are some real limitations: they do not offer X-rays, complex diagnostics, or stitches. Make sure you know what services they provide before you visit. If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies, call the clinic first.

CVS Survey Tip

When you visit CVS or MinuteClinic next time, you can take the CVS Health Survey for a chance to win the $1,000 monthly sweepstakes. It only takes 5 minutes, and you’ll need the 17-digit code from your receipt.

See our full CVS Health Survey guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Change Log

Date	Update
08-13-2026	Published — services and pricing verified against 2026 CVS MinuteClinic official pages
08-13-2026	Added virtual visit $49 option
08-13-2026	Added weight loss consultation pricing

Reviewed By Reynolds

Reynolds shares CVS tips, savings guides, and information about the CVS Health Survey for regular shoppers. All advice is checked against the latest CVS program details and updated whenever services or prices change.

Last updated: 08-13-2026

Questions? Contact Reynolds →