Digital Tools
Using Technology to Support Optimal Outcomes, Deliver Cost Control.
We have built the technological infrastructure to deliver support to patients where and when they need it to better manage their condition and improve outcomes. Our innovative technology tools also enable CareTeams to offer targeted support tailored to each plan member’s unique needs, ultimately helping lower overall health care costs.
Secure Messaging
Digital innovations can help manage costs and care. For instance, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients need to maintain greater than 90 percent adherence in the first year after diagnosis to have the best chance at remission.
Chronic myeloid leukemia secure messaging pilot
| >90% adherence required in 1st year to achieve remission |
Pilot participants 22% more likely to be optimally adherent |
| >90% adherence required in 1st year to achieve remission |
| Pilot participants 22% more likely to be optimally adherent |
Since introducing on-demand, secure, messaging between CVS Specialty CareTeams and patients, CVS Health has continued to expand the use and range of digital channels for patients to receive information about their care. As of January 2021, secure messaging is available to members across 36 complex conditions.
| Interested in how our care management programs help support members and lower costs? | Contact us |
| Interested in how our care management programs help support members and lower costs? |
| Contact us |
Wearable Technology
Building upon our digital foundation with secure messaging, we expanded the functionality of our digital tools and piloted a program for specialty patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using a wearable sensor to capture additional data from the patient experience.
| 96% uploaded daily health data |
90% percent actively used the tools |
75% completed a walk test |
| 96% uploaded daily health data |
| 90% percent actively used the tools |
| 75% completed a walk test |
The app interprets movement and tracks symptoms and walk test results from a patient with MS. The CareTeam receives and reviews data from patients using the MS app and wearable device to help detect new or worsening symptoms, document event occurrences, and provide early indications of ineffective therapy or dosing. This helps improve clinical outcomes, providing a more complete patient profile to help support better results.
Symptom Tracking
Building on what we learned from the MS app, we piloted an oncology symptom tracking tool – enhanced with CareTeam support – to drive better outcomes and experiences.
The app is designed to help keep patients on appropriate therapies, ensure they can tolerate their therapy and manage side effects, direct them to needed care, and reduce emergency room admissions from side effects or symptoms.
| ↑4% adherence among patients who digitally tracked symptoms |
| ↑4% adherence among patients who digitally tracked symptoms |
CVS Specialty patients can track their symptoms in real time and have the option to connect with their CareTeam through secure messaging for personalized support. This on-demand support helps them navigate to the right level of care – ultimately helping improve outcomes and potentially lowering overall health care costs.
CVS Health Virtual Primary Care™
Increase plan member access, convenience and productivity
Many people are looking for more convenience and accessibility in their health care and, as a result, are turning to virtual care. Historically, virtual care has been a disjointed solution by vendor, limited to episodic care with minimal integration, creating a fragmented member experience.
CVS Health is changing that with Virtual Primary Care
Now your members can get primary care, mental health and on-demand care services, including skin condition services, through one convenient virtual platform – with the option of being seen in-person when needed at an in-network provider – making CVS Health a single destination that helps reduce the need for individual disparate solutions.
High-quality virtual health services at a lower cost of care
- Integrated and cohesive solutions for physical and mental health
- Lower costs and increased convenience for visits compared to other sites of care
- Care Team consults with trusted pharmacists to provide a more integrated care plan
- All clinicians (virtual and in-person) on the same Epic electronic health record (EHR) system will have the same view of each member for coordinated care and a better member experience
Easier, faster access to care
- 24/7
Some restrictions may apply. access to a virtual Care Team led by a patient-selected physician, including a nurse practitioner, registered nurse and licensed vocational nurseAvailable late in 2023. , plus a CVS pharmacist from our nationwide footprint of CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® locations - Scheduling goal for primary care visit within five days; mental health virtual appointments available within seven days (vs. 24-day average wait for traditional primary care
Jama Network: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2757495. or 48-day average wait for traditional talk therapyMcKinsey COVID-19 Consumer Survey, May 20, 2020. ,Arista MD “Merritt Hawkins Survey: Physician appt wait times, Medicare acceptance”, Insights. from the 2018 Merritt Hawkins 2017 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times, November 2018. )
Want to learn more about the use of digital tools in care management? Ask Us
