CVS Caremark awarded AT&T PBM contract

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS Caremark has been awarded a contract to provide PBM services to AT&T’s employees and retirees, effective Jan. 1, 2009.

“We are delighted that AT&T has chosen to consolidate its entire PBM business with us,” stated Tom Ryan, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CVS Caremark. “AT&T is one of our oldest and best customers, and we consider this decision to be a vote of confidence for our integrated model of delivering pharmacy health care. By consolidating their PBM business with CVS Caremark, they will be well positioned to consider a number of the unique services that only we can offer.”

Under the agreement, CVS Caremark will provide a suite of integrated pharmacy services, including claims processing, network management, rebate contracting, mail order pharmacy and specialty pharmacy services.

Commenting on the news, Lehman Brothers analyst Meredith Adler stated in a research note, “Since Caremark already had about two-thirds of the contract previously, we estimate that the incremental revenue will be about $350 million. The total contract is approximately $1.25 billion, with mail accounting for two-thirds of revenue and retail representing the other one-third.”

Adler estimated that the impact to earnings to be about 2 cents to 3 cents. “We believe AT&T’s desire to work with CVS demonstrates that payors are beginning to appreciate the value of the company’s combined model,” she stated.