Some unemployed customers of Walgreen Co., who have no health insurance, have been offered free visits to the drugstore's in-store clinics, an offer that comes more than a year into the recession, and applies only to adults who lost their jobs on or after 31st March. Spouses, domestic partners and children also qualify for the offer, as long as they do not have their own health insurance.

Only those who have already visited one of Walgreen's Take Care clinics are eligible, with a typical visit for treatment of minor ailments like colds, etc. usually costing $59 or more for patients with no health coverage.

As part of the 'Take Care Recovery Plan', Quest Diagnostics Inc. is offering free laboratory tests for strep throat, urine cultures, etc, with the plan including treatment of:

• Respiratory illnesses, such as colds, sinus infections, bronchitis and strep throat.
• Common conditions, such as seasonal allergies and pink eye.
• Skin conditions, such as dry skin, poison ivy, minor skin infections and burns.
• Patients can access these services between 11 a. m. and 3 p. m., Monday through Friday.

However, health evaluations, vaccinations, physicals, and injection and infusion administration are excluded from the offer.

As US workers collecting state unemployment benefits rose to a record 5.56-million earlier this month, in order to qualify for the free services, individuals must prove they are receiving or will receive government unemployment benefits. If, a participant finds employment, he and his family will no longer qualify.

Opened three years ago, Walgreen says roughly 1.25-million people have visited Take Care Health Systems, with the company running over 330 in-store clinics, including operating clinics at nearly 370 work sites.