CVS unveils health insurance outreach program
CVS unveiled the details of a company-wide information and outreach program to help customers navigate their insurance options under the new healthcare law during a store visit in Orlando with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
The program includes retail events and brochure displays at more than 7,500 CVS/pharmacy stores and 650 MinuteClinic locations. Information is also available online at cvs.com/insurance.
"Providing information about new health insurance coverage opportunities is in keeping with our purpose of helping people on their path to better health," stated Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, who led the tour with Sebelius. "Over the coming months, our pharmacists and stores will be serving a key role in providing a point of activation for customers to learn more."
A recent CVS Caremark survey found that pharmacies will be a primary resource to meet the needs of uninsured Americans, with 68% of those surveyed expecting retail pharmacies to offer health insurance information in store and/or online. Among those asking for help, Hispanics and the youngest group surveyed (aged 18 to 35) were significantly more likely to say they need help understanding the exchanges.
"Families look to their local pharmacy as a place they can go to for honest, straightforward advice they can trust," stated HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Americans trust their pharmacists for tell-it-like-it-is advice about their health, and pharmacies, like CVS, have a special role in these efforts. We thank CVS Caremark and CVS stores nationwide for their commitment to providing Americans with the information they need about the Health Insurance Marketplace."
CVS/pharmacy will also be hosting approximately 5,000 in-store events with health insurance experts, including representatives of state exchanges and local health plans. In addition, in September, representatives from Get Covered America will be available at CVS/pharmacy Project Health free health screening events.