CVS and AEtna Merger

[beth]

This is poised to be the 'next new thing'. Is it worth consideration? I only heard about it this morning so need to think it through.


What the CVS-Aetna deal means for consumers


All opinions are appreciated for consideration.


Who needs to go to the doctor when you can go to your local CVS drug store instead? That appears to be the logic behind CVS's decision to buy health insurer Aetna for $69 billion.

CVS has more than 9,700 pharmacies and 1,100 Minute Clinics, walk-in locations that offer vaccinations, lab tests and diagnosis and treatment of illnesses like strep throat and ear infections from nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Combining the operations of CVS (CVS), which also owns pharmacy benefits manager and mail order pharmacy Caremark, with a major insurer like Aetna (AET) could make it easier for people to monitor diseases without having to see a doctor.

Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said during a conference call with analysts Monday that the combined resources of CVS and Aetna could make the pharmacies and walk-in clinics kind of like the medical version of the Genius Bar at Apple Stores, with experts dispensing quick, convenient and reliable health care knowledge.

"The combined company will also be able to better understand patients' health goals, guide them through the health care system, and help them achieve their best health. There will be expanded opportunities to bring health care services to consumers every day," the companies added in a release.

The company explained this with an example of how diabetics could get quicker, easier treatment.

CVS and Aetna said that patients will be able to go to a local CVS or minute clinic in between doctor visits for glucose level monitoring, counseling on how and when to use medications and advice on weight loss programs and better dietary habits.

"These types of interventions are things that the traditional health care system could be doing, but the traditional health care system lacks the key elements of convenience and coordination that help to engage consumers in their health," CVS CEO Larry Merlo said in the release.

more
money.cnn.com/2017/12/04/investing/cvs-aetna-consumers/index.html

[annaj26]

We don't need that here because we have a big, sprawling hospital/physicians complex that makes things easy for the patients. There are also a couple of excellent hospitals that are not part of that and offer even more selection.

For people who live in more rural areas, being able to use CVS for testing, etc. might be a real convenience. I'm curious about the charges.

[men an tol]

Jan 30, 2018 14:37:10 GMT -5 annaj26 said:

We don't need that here because we have a big, sprawling hospital/physicians complex that makes things easy for the patients. There are also a couple of excellent hospitals that are not part of that and offer even more selection.

For people who live in more rural areas, being able to use CVS for testing, etc. might be a real convenience. I'm curious about the charges.

Here too we have excellent medical facilities. In the immediate local area we have three separate hospitals. One is a nationally recognized cardiovascular facility, another is part of a nation wide medical system, and the third is a very good hospital. There are also a number of clinics that in a small towns would be classed as small hospital complexes and some are designed to support those with low or no income. South about 75 minutes by car is a large State hospital facility which has one segment set up to cover trama events and another to cover children. North of us about 2 hours by car is Rochester, Minnesota where the Mayo Clinic is located. All are connected by excellent road systems and there are three helicopter systems covering all of it, as well as major air ports. There are also a number of post hospital care facilities.
CVS covers most communities in this area. Those that don't have CVS are usually covered by a Wal Mart Pharmacy.