In another ominous sign of the economic times, drug store chain CVS Corp., owner and operator of the nation's 545 MinuteClinic in-store healthcare clinics, reported last month that 89 of its medical offices would be shuttered for the spring and likely the summer as well.

Merchant Medicine, a Minneapolis/St. Paul-area research group that follows the industry, first reported the closures. MinuteClinic later issued a release, stating it is operating "selected clinics in some of its markets across the country on a seasonal schedule. We are also extending weekend hours in certain clinics to better align with customer demand."

All of the seasonal clinic locations are within 10 miles of another MinuteClinic, and most are within 5 miles, according to the statement, which pointed out 45 percent of consumers continue to have a MinuteClinic within five miles of where they live, down from 48 percent.