Taking a page from Hyundai  and JetBlue, drugstore giant Walgreens yesterday said it would help out consumers who lose their jobs as a result of the tanking economy. But instead of letting them return their new vehicles or cancel a flight without penalty, Walgreens is offering jobless Americans who are stripped of their insurance, free health-care services for themselves and their families. 

There are 341 Take Care clinics inside Walgreens drugstores in 19 states. Walmart, Target, and other retailers have similar clinics, which provide simple, non-emergency services to patients, regardless of insurance status. They are much cheaper than a traditional doctor's visit because they're generally staffed by nurse practitioners and/or physician assistants.  If you get sick on a weekend or can’t get an appointment with your doctor, the clinics can answer the need for fast, walk-in care.

The typical charge at Take Care clinics starts at $59. For the inside scoop on the pros and cons of these types of clinics, read what my colleagues at the Consumer Reports Health blog had to say. Subscribers can click here for even more information from Consumer Reports On Health.  

Who’s eligible?

This gets slightly confusing, so call 866 825-3227, or click here for specifics. In a nutshell, free coverage is available through the remainder of 2009 for any existing Take Care clinic patient who loses his or her job – and health benefits -- on March 31 or thereafter. Individuals who visit a clinic from here on out – and subsequently loses their job and benefits – are eligible for coverage, too. Take Care clinics will treat patients 18 months and older.

The free-care program applies to most services currently provided at the clinics, including routine treatment of respiratory problems (colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, and the like); seasonal allergies; pink-eye; and skin conditions (for example, burns and poison ivy). Health evaluations, vaccinations, physicals, and injection/infusion administration are excluded. 

If you need a prescription, it can be filled at any pharmacy, not just Walgreens. Although Walgreens owns Take Care Health Systems, the clinics operate independently.

Also, if the clinic orders tests to diagnose conditions such as strep throat or bladder infection, Quest Diagnostics, one of the nation’s largest testing-services labs, will also undertake them for free. Applicants for free care must present their federal or state unemployment determination letter along and other proof, which the clinic will verify.

Lauren Nestler, a Take Care spokeswoman, says the clinics have treated 1.25 million patients since opening in November 2005. 

“Thirty percent of the patients we see don’t have a primary-care provider,” Nestler says. “The other 70 percent don’t see a provider on a consistent basis. We’re not taking the place of the doctor, but filling a need.”