CVS Health and Aetna Share Results of Multi-Year Observational Study

I’m often asked by customers and consultants what makes Aetna different. One answer to this important question is that as a CVS Health company, Aetna offers a unique set of assets. Assets that enable us to address today’s most critical health care challenges, increase access and engagement, and continually deliver value for customers. I appreciate this question and I’ve been enthusiastic about proving what’s possible in our reimagined and more contemporary engagement model.

Wherever and whenever members need us — whether in their homes, via virtual care resources, with our member service representatives and care managers, or with our network providers, or in their neighborhood CVS pharmacy — Aetna provides that extra touchpoint that prompts choice and redefines engagement.

Last week marked an important milestone in our reimagined engagement model. We shared the results of a multi-year observational study of commercial customers who have integrated Aetna medical and pharmacy coverage. Results clearly indicate that CVS Health and Aetna continue to meet members where they are, improving health outcomes by identifying and creating positive change.

In fact, with our seamlessly connected data, integrated systems, and wide-ranging capabilities, we observed a sustained three to six percent Per Member Per Month (PMPM) lower overall medical spend on average over a three-year period for plan sponsors with integrated benefits.?

What’s equally exciting about this study is we observed consistent improvement in key metrics and driving behaviors including utilization, medication adherence and gap closure. Here are a few of the headlines that prove to me that the combination of CVS Health and Aetna is creating measurable value for our customers:

• 18% fewer hospitalizations and 10% fewer ER visits, and
• 4% higher non-urgent gaps in care closure rate for clinically important and routine standards of care

And members who filled a prescription at a CVS Pharmacy were associated with:

• 40% higher level of engagement in our care management programs, and
• Average 6% higher drug adherence rates across important conditions including congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes

Strengthening the coordination between members, their pharmacists and our care managers is especially important for members with these chronic conditions who visit the pharmacy frequently. Engaging them when they need us and helping them navigate their health care journey empowers healthy choices and creates a simple, seamless experience. We remain committed to helping members prioritize their well-being and achieve better health outcomes, simply and affordably.

It’s increasingly clear that our combined programs and services drive utilization and trend improvement, create real savings for plan sponsors and improve the health of their workforce. We’re focused on using the results of this study to build new integrated benefit designs that continue to deliver results for our customers and members. I’m energized by the opportunity to build on this momentum and continue to demonstrate the differentiated value of Aetna.

I hope you’ll read more about this study and share your thoughts.?