CVS Caremark Prepared to Help Customers Access Care With New Affordable Care Act Coverage

PRESS RELEASE

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Dec.31, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --As coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) gets underway on January 1 for millions of Americans, CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) is ready to help patients who may experience coverage issues or have questions as they access care and prescription medications under new plans for the first time.

"CVS/pharmacy is committed to assisting our patients who may encounter disruptions in their prescription insurance coverage beginning January 1," said Helena B. Foulkes, President, CVS/pharmacy and Executive Vice President, CVS Caremark. "Our pharmacy teams will provide information to help patients contact the appropriate health plan or insurance exchange, and we are actively communicating with insurance plans and government agencies to help minimize disruption to care whenever possible."

In some circumstances and based on clinical considerations, CVS/pharmacy will assist patients who are experiencing a temporary disruption in insurance coverage with a transitional or "bridge" supply of medication to support their continuity of care. A bridge supply is a prescription of 15 or 30 days. For patients who express financial hardship, a bridge supply may be provided as a courtesy to help them remain adherent to their medication therapy while they resolve their coverage issues.

MinuteClinic, the medical clinic inside select CVS/pharmacy stores, will be providing similar flexibility for patients who may be in transition with their health care coverage.

"We want to play our part in the medical community to support our patients' health care needs during this time because some plan details are still being determined," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., President, MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark.

"As a health care provider, CVS Caremark is dedicated to helping people on their path to better health," added Foulkes. "As the ACA and other health insurance coverage changes roll out beginning January 1, we will do all we can to provide guidance and support for patients during this complex time."