Dec 12, 2018
District Court Judge Richard Leon said he is considering halting the integration of CVS Health and Aetna — even though the two companies closed their merger. He ordered a hearing on December 18. In a November 28 announcement, CVS Health President and Chief Executive Officer Larry J. Merlo said the merger will create a new health care model that is local, easier to use, less expensive, and puts consumers at the center of their care. The plan is to integrate Aetna's medical information and analytics with CVS Health’s pharmacy data to help providers predict and prevent major health events. The model includes coordination among physicians and other health care providers along with caregivers and CVS health care professionals. Enhanced health services will include:
- Self-management for patients with chronic conditions
- Expansion of MinuteClinic services
- Nutritional and behavioral counseling and benefit navigation support
- Assistance with durable medical equipment, digital health apps, and connected devices
The company will offer new preventive health screenings in communities that are identified as high-risk for certain health challenges. To support these communities and newly diagnosed patients, MinuteClinic will expand chronic care management services. CVS Health is also developing timelier and more comprehensive medication reviews as well as expanded services and hours at select MinuteClinic locations to reduce inappropriate emergency room use. New products and services will be broadly available to the health care marketplace, regardless of one’s insurer, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), or pharmacy. CVS Health offerings, including retail pharmacy services, specialty pharmacy, and long-term care, walk-in clinical services, and PBM services, will continue to be fully accessible to other health plans. Aetna members will continue to have access to a broad network of pharmacies, including community-based independent pharmacies. CVS Pharmacy will continue to participate within the pharmacy networks for other PBMs and health plans.
