Walmart, CVS step in to help seniors
A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Healthy Returns newsletter, which delivers the latest health news right to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions.
Medicare begins officially covering obesity drugs for the first time through a temporary government program and similar companies Walmart And CVS Health It plays an important role for patients.
The major shift in Medicare policy will provide access to millions of older Americans who previously couldn’t afford blockbuster GLP-1s. Novo Nordisk And Eli Lilly To treat obesity. But many seniors may not know about this new coverage or how to deal with complexities like eligibility requirements and how it differs from traditional Medicare drug coverage, CNBC previously reported.
A surprising 82 percent of older Americans said they were unaware that Medicare would begin covering obesity medications, according to a survey released in early June by the Obesity Care Advocacy Network.
Healthcare providers are always a reliable resource for patients, but many Medicare beneficiaries face long waits for doctor appointments. That’s why Walmart and CVS Health are trying to step in to fill the gap.
Walmart and Sam’s Club last week launched a nationwide effort to help Medicare patients better understand the new coverage by offering more educational materials, more pharmacy support at nearly 5,000 locations and help navigating health care resources.
Walmart’s website will offer a variety of resources for Medicare beneficiaries, including weight management support options as well as a learning page to help seniors looking to gain coverage. The company will also provide other digital tools: For example, seniors who regularly shop at Walmart Daily Health SignalsThis can help them review their grocery shopping and suggest healthier alternatives.
Those resources will still be widely available for patients who don’t qualify for coverage under the government program called Bridge, Kevin Host, senior vice president of Walmart Health & Wellness, said in an interview. Host said Walmart is training its pharmacists and technicians to provide one-on-one counseling to help patients understand what the next steps are and help them manage side effects once they begin treatment.
Pharmacists, he added, are “easily accessible healthcare professionals.” Host said Walmart has 15,000 pharmacists, and about half of them have been with the company for more than a decade.
“Think about the relationships they can build; we have a pretty significant presence in rural areas, and many of those are medically underserved communities,” he said.
CVS is also increasing GLP-1 support at 9,000 pharmacy locations and MinuteClinic, a division that provides retail clinic services, as new coverage becomes available. This effort includes expanded pharmacy support designed to help patients access treatments and maintain treatment by managing common side effects, according to a CVS statement.
It also includes a new $49 MinuteClinic virtual visit that connects eligible patients with licensed clinicians who can evaluate and, if appropriate, prescribe GLP-1 therapy.
“From helping patients manage side effects to identifying ways to reduce costs, our pharmacists are there every step of the way,” Sid Tenneti, CVS’ interim president of pharmacy and consumer health, said in the release.
Walmart Presenter said that due to major coverage changes, patients are looking for simplicity and easier-to-navigate experiences.
“We think we have a unique ability to help, and we want to help with accessibility and affordability,” he said. “We leverage our trusted healthcare professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and provide everyday convenience on a national scale that few organizations can achieve.”
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