Diabetes poses a significant and growing challenge to health systems and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) alike. Recognizing this critical need, CVS Health introduced the Cvs Caremark Transform Diabetes Care Program in December 2016. This innovative program is specifically designed to empower PBM clients to enhance the health outcomes of their members living with diabetes, while simultaneously achieving substantial cost savings through proactive trend management and a reduction in overall medical expenses. The program achieves these goals by focusing on improved medication adherence, optimized A1C control, and the promotion of healthy lifestyle management. Set to launch in early 2017, the Transform Diabetes Care program offers customized support for individuals with diabetes, integrating both robust clinical care strategies and effective cost management solutions, including a compelling single-digit client trend guarantee for antidiabetic medications. Participating clients can anticipate significant savings, potentially ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 annually for each member who successfully improves their diabetes management through the program.
Dr. Troyen A. Brennan, Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health, emphasized the program’s core philosophy: “The Transform Diabetes Care program focuses on three key components to help improve outcomes and reduce overall health care spend in diabetes: medication adherence, A1C control and lifestyle management.” He further highlighted the unique advantage of CVS Health’s integrated approach, stating, “What’s unique about this program is that at CVS Health we are able to marshal resources across our enterprise and provide a high level of personalized support and care via multiple touch points. What makes our face-to-face counseling and education at our more than 9,600 pharmacy locations and more than 1,100 MinuteClinic locations so effective is that it happens when patients are already thinking about their health.” This extensive network of touchpoints provides unparalleled opportunities for patient engagement and support within the cvs caremark transform diabetes care program.
The effectiveness of the cvs caremark transform diabetes care program is further amplified by its sophisticated use of data analytics. Advanced analytics are employed to pinpoint specific areas of improvement for each enrolled member. Leveraging CVS Health’s Health Engagement Engine, the program facilitates more impactful outreach by identifying and prompting personalized counseling opportunities. Enrolled members benefit from highly tailored support and coaching aimed at enhancing medication adherence, effectively monitoring and controlling A1C levels, and fostering healthy lifestyle behaviors. These interventions are seamlessly integrated into the member experience through various CVS Health touch points, offered at no additional cost. Support is delivered in person at CVS Pharmacy locations and via telephone consultations. Furthermore, members have access to free comprehensive diabetes visits at MinuteClinic locations, which include crucial A1C checks. To further empower patients, the program offers a connected glucometer. This device automatically shares blood glucose readings with a dedicated pharmacist-led team through a secure health cloud. This real-time data sharing enables proactive identification of potential issues and timely intervention with personalized, one-on-one coaching from the care team, ensuring continuous and responsive support within the cvs caremark transform diabetes care program.
Jonathan Roberts, President of CVS Caremark, addressed the financial implications for PBM clients: “In 2016 antidiabetic drugs were the leading driver of gross costs for our clients. The Transform Diabetes Care program will enable us to help our clients manage the unsustainable increases in the cost of diabetes care by maximizing the value and effectiveness of our engagement with patients to improve clinical outcomes, while also employing strategic approaches to actively manage and control costs.” The cvs caremark transform diabetes care program directly tackles the escalating costs associated with diabetes management.
Clients who enroll in the Transform Diabetes Care program receive a significant financial benefit: a year-over-year drug trend guarantee in the single digits for the antidiabetic drug category. This guarantee, while varying based on the specific demographics and current spending profile of the plan population, provides a predictable and controlled cost environment. Complementing this cost management strategy is a managed pharmacy network specifically for diabetes medications. This network encompasses all CVS Pharmacy locations and the CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy, streamlining medication refills, enhancing care coordination with members’ primary care providers, and fostering consistent engagement with therapy and the program’s comprehensive clinical services.
The Transform Diabetes Care program is the inaugural offering within CVS Health’s new suite of Transform Care programs. These programs are strategically designed to address and manage prevalent and costly chronic conditions. This initiative builds upon CVS Health’s existing portfolio of diabetes programs and services. Crucially, research consistently demonstrates that improvements in lifestyle management, medication adherence, and A1C control lead to tangible health improvements and substantial reductions in medical costs. For example, the CVS Health Pharmacy Advisor Counseling program has demonstrated a nearly 10 percent increase in optimal medication adherence among enrolled members with diabetes, underscoring the effectiveness of CVS Health’s patient-centric approach to diabetes care within programs like the cvs caremark transform diabetes care program.
About CVS Health
CVS Health stands as a pharmacy innovation leader, dedicated to guiding individuals on their path to improved health. With an extensive network of over 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in MinuteClinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager serving over 80 million plan members, a specialized senior pharmacy care division catering to over one million patients annually, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, CVS Health empowers individuals, businesses, and communities to manage health more affordably and effectively. This uniquely integrated model enhances access to high-quality care, achieves superior health outcomes, and reduces overall healthcare expenditures. For further information on CVS Health’s role in shaping the future of health, please visit https://www.cvshealth.com.
