CVS Health to explore telehealth expansion through new partnerships

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — On the heels of news that its MinuteClinic telelehealth pilot was well received by patients, CVS Health announced Wednesday that it would be partnering with three telehealth companies to expand its current offerings. The company will be working with American Well, Doctor On Demand and Teladoc to explore how retail clinic providers, retail pharmacy and telehealth providers can collaborate to improve patient care. 

 

“During our initial phase of exploration of telehealth in our store-based clinics, we learned that we could deliver excellent quality care and that patients were extremely satisfied with the care provided,” MinuteClinic president and CVS Health EVP and associate chief medical officer Andrew Sussman said. 

 

Moving forward, CVS Health plans to build on the success of the MinuteClinic pilot and look into enabling consultations between MinuteClinic providers and telehealth doctors while still providing telehealth care in its retail stores.

 

“With the increased demand for patient care anticipated in future years as a result of the expansion of coverage through the Affordable Care Act, the primary care physician shortage, aging of the population and epidemic of chronic disease, telehealth gives us the opportunity to offer high quality care to an expanded group of patients in a variety of convenient and cost-effective locations,” Sussman said. 

 

CVS Health’s SVP and chief digital officer said that working with American Well, Doctor On Demand and Teladoc was an integral part of its strategy of collaborating with companies already working on key ideas that the company is also exploring. 

 

“We are delighted that CVS Health has joined the roster of top health plans, employers, and hospitals that trust American Well for their telehealth services," American Well CEO Ido Schoenberg said. “Together we can offer consumers far more convenient access to affordable, quality care in the community and at home.”