Aug. 9, 2018
Dive
Brief:
- CVS Health
on Wednesday launched MinuteClinic Video
Visits, offering 24/7 access to virtual care services for minor
illnesses, injuries and other wellness needs.
- Patients
initiate a video visit through the CVS Pharmacy app using their mobile
device. The program uses Teladoc’s technology platform.
- The service is now available in
nine states — Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Maryland,
Mississippi, New Hampshire and Virginia — as well as the District of
Columbia. Nationwide rollout is expected by the end of the year.
Dive
Insight:
More
care is moving to retail settings, and virtual offerings are increasingly
becoming part and parcel of that experience. Last month, Rite Aid inked a letter of intent with
InTouch Health to bring virtual care to remote areas. The
companies also plan to offer the services at alternative care sites, such as
Rite Aid pharmacies.
Walgreens
is also offering telehealth services through a partnership with
NewYork-Presybterian. The virtual care option — part of NYP's
OnDemand digital health services — is available at self-service kiosks at
select Duane Reed drugstores in New York City and through the Walgreens
website. The retail pharmacy chain also recently launched a digital
marketplace with 17 big-name providers to connect its mobile
and online visitors to its clinics and healthcare services, as well as
providers in communities across the U.S.
Payers
are getting in on the act as well. Last month, Anthem announced a collaboration with
Samsung to bring members 24/7 telehealth services, including video chats with
providers.
CVS
said early tests of the telehealth service showed strong consumer support. It
claimed 95% of patients who opted for a virtual visit were highly
satisfied with the care they received, and an equal share were satisfied with
the convenience and overall experience. While those numbers can be taken with a
grain of salt, there is reason to believe patients want more
telehealth options. An American Well survey from
earlier this year found that nearly 80% of respondents were willing to see
their doctor via video and 20% would switch primary care providers to get
access to such services.
Patients
currently pay the $59 fee for a MinuteClinic Video Visit out of pocket, but the
company said insurance coverage will be added in coming months.
The
move comes as CVS is attempting to acquire Aetna for $69 billion. Shareholders
for both companies have approved the deal between
the pharmacy chain and payer. If approved by regulators, the merger would
create an entity with annual revenues of roughly $245 billion. The Department
of Justice is still scrutinizing the proposed merger and earlier this
year requested more information on
the bid.
On
Wednesday, the American Medical Association urged DOJ to reject the deal,
citing an AMA analysis showing it
could undermine competition in many healthcare markets, at the expense of
patients.
Among
other things, the analysis said the merger would increase market concentration
in 30 of 34 Medicare Part D regional markets, most likely leading to higher
premiums. The analysis pointed to impact on the highly concentrated pharmacy
benefit management services market, where both firms already have a stake.
https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cvs-rolls-out-virtual-care-offering-in-9-states/529735/
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