CVS launching virtual primary care aimed at mental health support
Members can schedule a primary care visit within days with a provider they select, and access care for common illnesses and infections.
Photo: Kilito Chan/Getty Images
CVS Health has launched Virtual Primary Care, a virtual care offering focused mainly on primary care and mental health services.
Virtual Primary Care, which offers 24/7 on-demand care, is now available to Aetna commercial members nationwide who are enrolled in eligible fully insured and self-insured health plans. Members can schedule a primary care visit within days with a provider they select and access care for common illnesses and infections.
Through the launch, CVS is also expanding its virtual mental health services. Enrollees 18 and older are slated to have access to nationwide virtual mental health support from clinicians including licensed therapists and psychiatrists.
CVS said the offering has a dedicated practice of board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners who help deliver primary care services through physician-led care teams. These physician-led care teams can consult with CVS pharmacists to better support patients, the company said.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Members can access their health information, including lab results and medications, on the CVS Health Dashboard and can share their clinical data with other clinicians, said CVS. The dashboard will also enable the care team to have a comprehensive view of care activity across different sites of care.
According to the company's recent Health Care Insights study, 59% of consumers feel it's important to their health that they have access to virtual and telehealth services. More than 71% think a virtual visit for mental health services would be more convenient.
Dr. Creagh Milford, senior vice president of retail health at CVS Health, said that by taking a care team approach and utilizing technology, "we can provide more longitudinal and holistic care to create stronger relationships between patients and their providers."
THE LARGER TREND
According to a December J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Study, a growing majority of consumers now say they prefer virtual care over in-person visits for a wide range of routine care, including for behavioral and mental health. And almost all – 94% – of users say they would use the technology to receive medical services in the future.
Companies are taking notice of this trend. Also in December, VR behavioral health platform BehaVR and OxfordVR, a VR platform for severe mental health issues, announced their merger. The companies said their combination creates the largest virtual reality healthcare delivery platform.
The companies, which will unite under the BehaVR brand, also garnered $13 million in Series B funding to support the merger.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
