The founder of The Little Clinic started this company in order to provide a model of medical care that was more accessible and affordable for consumers than the traditional health care system.   Specifically, the model aims to provide a high quality, lower cost option for the treatment of minor, acute ailments by adding an entry point into the care continuum.  This entry point is designed to appeal to and serve the following types of customers.

• The increasingly better informed and educated health care consumer utilizing health savings accounts and healthcare retirement accounts for their medical benefit plans
• The uninsured and underinsured
• Consumers seeking a convenient and accessible option for health care services
• Consumers without a primary care physician or medical home.  (The Little Clinic refers patients to appropriate specialists and other care settings when necessary.)

The Little Clinic started in 2003 with two clinics in Kroger supermarkets in Louisville, Kentucky.  Initially, the clinics targeted the opportunity of providing cash-based health care services to individuals lacking health insurance.  Over time, they have expanded to accept various forms of health insurance as well.  Between 30 and 40 percent of their business remains cash-based.