Does CVS own a PBM?

Asked by: Neoma Bernier  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (41 votes)

For example, you probably know CVS as a brick-and-mortar pharmacy chain with extremely long receipts. But it also owns the third-largest health insurer, Aetna, and the largest PBM, CVS Caremark.

Who owns Express Scripts pharmacy?

Express Scripts — owned by Cigna — is the second largest pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) in the country, which also owns its own mail-order pharmacy, Accredo.

Who are the 3 largest PBMs?

Despite evidence that 3 PBMs (CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx) accounted for 79% of prescriptions in the US in 2023 and growing concerns about the role of the highly concentrated PBM market on rising out-of-pocket costs and pharmacy closures, information on whether and how PBM concentration varies across ...

Who owns the PBMs?

As of 2022, Caremark Rx, Express Scripts, OptumRx, Humana, Prime Therapeutics, and MedImpact Healthcare Systems were the six largest public PBMs that control 95% of the market, while the top three controlled 80% of the market.

When did CVS become a PBM?

1994: CVS launched PharmaCare, a pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company. 1996: CVS Corporation became a standalone company trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the "CVS" ticker. Stanley Goldstein was the company's first chairman.

PBM Express Scripts and CVS Start Their Own Group Purchasing Organizations

23 related questions found

Does CVS have their own PBM?

Since CVS has its own PBM, which it acquired in 2007, it gets visibility into an opaque pricing system as well as a revenue boost.

Who is the CEO of CVS Caremark PBM?

CVS' new chief executive is David Joyner, a company veteran who most recently headed up CVS' pharmacy benefit manager Caremark. Lynch, who held the top spot at CVS since 2021 and previously led insurer Aetna, stepped down “in agreement with the company's Board of Directors,” according to a release.

Does Walgreens own a PBM?

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) administer drug benefits for employers and health plans, helping them get better prices from drugmakers. The combined entity will be owned by Walgreens and Prime Therapeutics but will have a separate board and executive team, which will be announced later this year.

Is CVS Caremark a PBM?

The impact of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)

As part of CVS Health®, CVS Caremark® plays a critical role in the health care system by negotiating low net costs for our customers while supporting safe and clinically effective products for consumers.

Does Amazon own a PBM?

And all three of these larger PBMs are now touting their ability to manage all aspects of their clients' prescription costs, including specialized prescriptions for complex conditions. Neither Amazon nor Cuban's venture own or operate specialty pharmacies.

Is GoodRx a PBM?

Traditionally, the GoodRx business has operated exclusively in partnership with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide pricing to consumers.

Are CVS Caremark and Express Scripts the same?

Beginning April 1, 2023, our national pharmacy benefit administrator is moving from CVS Caremark to Express Scripts. The Express Scripts network offers access to 64,000 retail locations (including CVS pharmacies in Target stores) as well as mail delivery services.

Who are the Big 3 healthcare distributors?

AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson have acquired specialty drug distributors to increase their share of the specialty drug market, and specialty drugs now account for more than 30 percent of their revenue, a result of the high prices for many specialty drugs.

Will CVS take Express Scripts in 2024?

No, CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy will be out of network, effective January 1, 2024. If members wish to continue using mail order in 2024, they must switch to Express Scripts Pharmacy.

How do PBMs make money?

Pharmacy Benefit Managers earn profits primarily through administrative fees charged for their services, through spread pricing (the difference between what is paid to pharmacies and the negotiated payment from health plans), and shared savings where the PBM keeps part of the rebates or discounts negotiated with drug ...

When did Cigna buy Express Scripts?

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. – December 20, 2018 – Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI), a leading global health service company, has successfully completed its combination with Express Scripts Holding Company (“Express Scripts”) effective December 20, 2018.

What PBM is owned by CVS?

1 CVS Caremark, the PBM for CVS, is the second largest PBM in the U.S., accounting for nearly 33% of covered lives.

Who is Walmart's PBM?

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capital Rx, the fastest-growing pharmacy benefit manager (“PBM”) in the U.S., announced today it is joining forces with Walmart to bring transparency of unit prices across specialty and mail order prescriptions through its Clearinghouse ModelSM in order to combat rising cost of prescription ...

How does GoodRx make money?

If It's Free, How Does GoodRx Make Money? Although GoodRx is a free service, the company sells its technology, as well as its monthly subscription service, called GoodRx Gold.

What are the top 3 PBM companies?

The analysis lists national-level shares of the 10 largest PBMs. It finds that: The four largest PBMs collectively have a 70% share of the national PBM market. CVS Health is the largest PBM (21.3% market share), followed by OptumRx (20.8%), Express Scripts (17.1%), and Prime Therapeutics (10.3%).

What pharmacy did Walgreens merge with?

Walgreens Boots Alliance common stock will trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol WBA. The new global enterprise combines Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the USA; Boots, the market leader in European retail pharmacy; and Alliance Healthcare, the leading international wholesaler and distributor.

Can a PBM own a pharmacy?

Many PBMs own their own mail-order pharmacies. These PBMs have suggested that they have greater control over the drugs dispensed through mail-order pharmacies and, therefore, can provide greater formulary compliance. maximizes competition and results in lower prescription drug prices for its plan sponsor members.

Who is CVS Caremark owned by?

CVS Caremark (formerly Caremark Rx) (stylized as CVScaremark, previously CVS/caremark) is the pharmacy benefit management subsidiary of CVS Health, headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Why did CVS fire Karen Lynch?

CVS Health abruptly ousted its chief executive, Karen S. Lynch, on Friday as the pharmacy and health care conglomerate struggled with sluggish growth and faced pressure from investors.

How does CVS PBM work?

In our work as a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), CVS Health® works to negotiate lower costs of prescription drugs, going head-to-head with drug manufacturers to remove as many drug pricing challenges as possible for our customers and their members.