CVS Caremark survey: Cost management a top priority for employers

WOONSOCKET, R.I. Most employers consider managing costs a top priority in 2010, according to CVS Caremark’s annual employer survey.

According to the client survey conducted online between Oct. 5, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009, most employers surveyed (94%) said they will seek opportunities to improve savings even more in 2010, while they look for ways to improve overall member experience. Overall, employees listed price (86%), customer service (86%), trust and reliability (84%), and consumer engagement capabilities (46%) as key priorities for their PBM procurement strategy.

The survey includes responses from current CVS Caremark clients representing 285 employers and roughly 7.3 million lives.

“The economic environment continues to impact companies this year, with 66% telling us that reducing overall healthcare costs is their No. 1 success measure,” stated Jack Bruner, EVP strategic development for Caremark Pharmacy Services. “Employers tell us they are looking for more aggressive solutions to increase generic utilization and manage specialty pharmacy costs, while also focusing on programs to increase medication adherence and manage chronic diseases.”

CVS Caremark stated that it is well positioned to deliver on employer clients’ key priorities as it offers a variety of options to increase generic utilization and brand to generic conversions.

In comparing current results with the 2009 survey, CVS Caremark noted a significant increase in employers who are adopting or considering solutions to improve medication adherence. Some programs that employers are considering include counseling to improve adherence the first time a member fills a maintenance medication (62%), outreach to prescribers to resolve gaps in care (56%) and outreach to members and prescribers to provide counsel about therapy drop-off (65%).