After acquiring Aetna at the end of last year, CVS Health announced last week the creation of a $100 million Building Healthier Communities initiative.
The initiative will be funded over five years, and will invest in community health resources, provide financial support for organizations looking to manage chronic diseases impacting public health, as well as those that are positively impacting the well-being of communities.
Aetna Purchase Ushers in Era of Community-Focused Health
The purchase of Aetna ushered in what the CVS Health President and CEO Larry J. Merlo called a “new innovative health care model.”
By delivering the combined capabilities of our two leading organizations, we will transform the consumer health experience and build healthier communities through a new innovative health care model that is local, easier to use, less expensive and puts consumers at the center of their care.”
In addition to the Building Healthier Communities initiative, the joint company is introducing new ways to provide affordable, available and better quality health options to community members. This includes a focus on self-management strategies for chronic disease patients, expanded options at MinuteClinics inside CVS stores, nutritional and behavioral counseling and assistance with other health care needs.
Cutting Costs, Not Quality
Through the Project Health program, the company is working to drastically cut costs to consumers, while maintaining the same level of quality or better, increasing medication adherence and lowering the number of hospital readmissions.
The company also plans to offer longer hours at its MinuteClinics, with a plan to reduce the number of local emergency room visits for minor incidents.