Is CVS the largest PBM?

Asked by: Benton Watsica  |  Last update: September 27, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (67 votes)

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%).

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 ...

Is CVS the biggest pharmacy in the US?

Express Scripts, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens are the largest pharmacies in the United States in 2024 based on the number of locations. Express Scripts has the most number of locations with 45,948 locations across 52 states and territories. CVS Pharmacy has 9,165 and Walgreens has 8,475 locations in the US.

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.

What is the difference between CVS and CVS Caremark?

What is the difference between CVS Caremark and CVS pharmacy? CVS Caremark is an ONLINE Pharmacy, meaning that you get your prescriptions in the mail or overnighted to you. CVS Pharmacy is a walk-in drug store, that also has delivery services available. Usually Caremark is cheaper.

Why CVS Sucks Now...And Is Getting Worse

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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.

What is CVS ranked?

  • Sector:Contracted Services.
  • Industry:Health Care: Pharmacy and Other Services.
  • Current All-Star Rank:50.
  • Previous All-Star Rank:33.
  • Industry Rank:2.
  • Previous Industry Rank:2.
  • Overall Score:6.48.
  • Innovation:2.

Who is the PBM for Walmart?

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 ...

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 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.

Who owns most of CVS?

What percentage of CVS Health Corp (CVS) stock is held by retail investors? According to the latest TipRanks data, approximately 50.95% of CVS Health Corp (CVS) stock is held by retail investors. Who owns the most shares of CVS Health Corp (CVS)? Vanguard owns the most shares of CVS Health Corp (CVS).

Is GoodRx a PBM?

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

Who are the Big 3 Pharma distributors in USA?

About 92 percent of prescription drugs in the United States are distributed through wholesalers, with three — AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson Corporation — accounting for more than 90 percent of wholesale drug distribution in the United States.

Who owns Express Scripts now?

On March 7, 2018, it was announced that Cigna would buy Express Scripts in a $67 billion deal. The deal closed on December 20, 2018 at $54 billion, allowing Cigna to start offering new Express Scripts products to its corporate health insurance customers in 2019.

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.

Who owns CVS Caremark?

CVS Health Corporation is an American for-profit healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy chain; CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefits manager; and Aetna, a health insurance provider, among many other brands.

Who are the largest PBMs?

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%).

Who is the PBM for Walgreens?

(Reuters) - Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc said it would partner with pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics to reduce drug procurement costs.

Is CVS owned by Walmart?

CVS is owned by CVS Health Payor Solutions, founded in Massachusetts in 1963, now headquartered in Rhode Island. Walmart is owned by Walmart Corporation, founded in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962 by Sam and Bud Walton. CVS and Walmart are not now nor ever have been affiliated with each other.

Who does Aetna use for PBM?

How do I become a participating provider to service Aetna members? CVS Caremark® is the pharmacy benefits administrator for Aetna Pharmacy Network. In order to service Aetna members, you will need to be a participating provider with CVS Caremark.

Who is CVS biggest competitor?

Top Competitors of CVS Health
  • Walgreens Boots Alliance. Website – https://www.walgreensbootsalliance.com/ ...
  • Amazon Pharmacy. Website – https://pharmacy.amazon.com/ ...
  • Rite Aid. Website – https://www.riteaid.com/ ...
  • UnitedHealth Group. Website – https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/ ...
  • Kroger Health. ...
  • Cigna. ...
  • Costco Pharmacy. ...
  • Capsule.

Is CVS a Tier 1 pharmacy?

Level A pharmacies include all CVS Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy in Target Stores, Costco, Safeway, and Vons pharmacy retail locations nationwide. To find a list of the Level A pharmacies near you, please visit blueshieldca.com/pharmacy, click Pharmacy networks, and select Tiered pharmacy network Level A pharmacy directory.

Why is CVS closing?

“We are at a point where the current pharmacy model is not sustainable,” Wentworth said in June. CVS, the largest US chain, closed 244 stores between 2018 and 2020. In 2021, it announced plans to close an additional 900 stores. Earlier this month, CVS said it planned to cut about 2,900 jobs corporate jobs.