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CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

nytimes.com

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Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#41

Post by pcurve »

ahh wrote: post #37

I wonder if this will lead to restrictions on the use of copay coupons [1]. Insurers hate them since they break my incentive to use cheaper drugs from their formulary, but pharmacies don't care (and probably are better off for me using them.) Since I mostly hate my insurer and want to help them towards bankruptcy by extracting as much coverage from my fixed premium as possible, I have no objection to using these coup…

I don't know if insurance company cares whether you use copay coupons or drugs on their formulary as much as your employer does, because they're the one ultimately footing the bill for cost of your meds. Insurance companies and benefit managers try to position them in the middle, so that they would benefit either way.

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#42

Post by astura »

dr_ wrote: post #21
maxerickson wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given that currently around 1 out of 9 locations has a minute clinic that seems unlikely. https://cvshealth.com/about/facts-and-company-information When I had Aetna, they didn't even cover getting a flu shot at the pharmacy. Maybe they changed that, but it's dumb, they covered it 100% using primary care.

I can attest to the fact that Aetna does cover flu shots now.

I'm sure Atena has/had a ton of different plans (especially in different states). Theres PPOs, HMOs, POSes, EPOs, high deductible, etc. so any general comments about what Atena does and doesn't cover won't always apply.

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#44

Post by astura »

quadrangle wrote: post #31
dr_ wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can attest to the fact that Aetna does cover flu shots now.

Flu shots are required to be covered in all U.S. insurance per the ACA. The point was that Aetna was requiring the more expensive (for them!) visit to a doctor's office for them to cover it and wouldn't cover it happening at a pharmacy.

When I had Atena they did cover pharmacy flu shot but only at one specific pharmacy. It's been years but if my memory serves right think I had to go to CVS to get the flu shot rather than my usual Walgreens.

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#45

Post by pcurve »

anilshanbhag wrote: post #19

Many are questioning if this move will help consumers. I think it will. Aetna is the third largest insurer and CVS is soon to be second largest pharmacy chain. Pharmacies provide basic care at lower cost, many insurance companies are moving Prescription Benefit Managers (PBMs) in-house to lower cost. By combining the two: CVS is able to get more customers for PBM due to Aetna and distribute the cost over a larger bas…

I like your optimism. Personally, I don't think this will help consumers, but it won't hurt them either. I think this is more about 1. Leverage. 2. bigger data set on patient and prescribers.

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#46

Post by [deleted] »

rsync wrote: post #28

I feel that perhaps healthcare is the ultimate triumph of capitalism. Every other avenue of runaway consumerism and overconsumption can obviously be pointed to as either indulgent or unnecessary. But not healthcare: it's your health, after all - your wellbeing. It's a fundamental right, right ? ... The received wisdom is that the aging of the baby boomer generation is driving expanded healthcare expenses as this larg…

[deleted]

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#47

Post by mbesto »

rdl wrote: post #2

If this turns every CVS into a uniform, inexpensive office/urgent care/etc., particularly with telemedicine, I'll be happy -- the "minute clinic" stuff already provides cheaper and more convenient access to care, but CVS+Aetna+some kind of EHR could do something amazing.

Aetna is a healthcare payer (or commonly known as a 'carrier') and CVS is a healthcare provider (specifically 'pharmacy') and minute clinic's are also providers (specifically 'care').

Aetna doesn't add any more to the equation of CVS other than streamlining payments. It's only interesting if you use Aetna I guess, but you can generally use CVS pharmacy + minute clinic with your insurance provider today.

General high level overview of this:

https://www.bcg.com/en-us/industries/health-care-payers-prov...

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#49

Post by conanbatt »

rsync wrote: post #28

I feel that perhaps healthcare is the ultimate triumph of capitalism. Every other avenue of runaway consumerism and overconsumption can obviously be pointed to as either indulgent or unnecessary. But not healthcare: it's your health, after all - your wellbeing. It's a fundamental right, right ? ... The received wisdom is that the aging of the baby boomer generation is driving expanded healthcare expenses as this larg…

Ridiculous mindset.

Healthcare is not worth infinite, we make decisions everyday to sacrifice our own health for other benefits, from taking the bus to work instead of a bike, from not eating what is best for us, from taking unnecessary risks in pursuit of pleasure, etc.

Healthcare is first a necessity service like any other, like food, clothing and shelter, and that doesnt mean all the other services extract the most out of people.

I get it, the U.S. healthcare system is broken beyond recognition and a fully state-sponsored solution looks like tempting next step. But lets not go overboard with patently false ideas and abstractions.

Re: CVS Is Said to Agree to Buy Aetna

#50

Post by conanbatt »

IBM wrote: post #16

A big chunk of the health care industry is the oligopoly of distributors. There's only 3 of them: McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal. If Amazon can bring much needed competition to that part of the healthcare market it'd help bring prices down. CVS is moving up the stack because they're afraid of Amazon entering the industry. They're combining a retailer, PBM and now a health insurer. Personally I think it shou…

IF you want to disrupt the pharma market, just let drug importation go free, and instead of debating the effects of a one new player, see the effects of the entire world getting in on it.
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