The incentive is available on most fully insured small and large group plans, the Eagan, Minnesota-based Blue Cross affiliate said.

The objective is to encourage plan members to use the retail clinics—which cost less than physician’s office visits, hospital emergency rooms or urgent care centers—for treatment of simple medical conditions, such as sore throats, ear infections and seasonal allergies, or to obtain routine vaccinations.

Retail clinics are typically staffed by physician’s assistants or nurse practitioners and are located in grocery stores, pharmacies or discount stores.