Why did CVS acquire Caremark?

Asked by: Melyna Larson  |  Last update: October 7, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (16 votes)

John Farrall of National City Private Client Group said buying Caremark would help boost CVS' offerings under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Separately, both companies reported their third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, a day before they had planned.

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.

Is Blue Shield dropping CVS Caremark?

The health insurer, one of the largest in the nation's most populous state, revealed in August it will drop CVS Caremark as the sole manager of its pharmacy benefits. In Caremark's place, Blue Shield of California will contract out the job to five separate companies.

Did Aetna buy CVS Caremark?

In this blog we consider the impact of CVS Caremark's 2019 acquisition of Aetna on Aetna's enrollees' access to specialty drugs. We find that, following the acquisition, Aetna had adjusted coverage criteria in the majority of their specialty drug coverage policies.

Who is CVS Caremark owned by?

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. The company is the world's second largest healthcare company, behind UnitedHealth Group.

CVS-Aetna merger could transform health care industry

25 related questions found

Why did CVS buy Caremark?

John Farrall of National City Private Client Group said buying Caremark would help boost CVS' offerings under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Separately, both companies reported their third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, a day before they had planned.

Who is the owner of Caremark?

Caremark Limited is a home care services network of franchises specialising in both private-pay and state-funded home care. It was founded by Kevin Lewis, Chief Executive, in 2005 and is based in Worthing.

Why is Aetna struggling?

Aetna majorly miscalculated utilization trends in pricing Medicare Advantage plans for this year, causing hundreds of thousands of seniors to flock to its generous coverage and saddling the insurer with an unexpectedly steep price tag for their care.

Which insurance uses CVS Caremark?

California's Valued Trust (CVT) and our prescription benefit provider, CVS/caremark™, provide prescription drug benefits for plan participants and their eligible dependents enrolled in either a CVT high-deductible health plan (HDHP) or a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan.

What is the Aetna lawsuit with CVS?

CVS-owned insurer Aetna sues Radiology Partners alleging multiphase 'fraud scheme' CVS-owned Health insurer Aetna is suing Radiology Partners alleging the country's largest imaging group executed a “multiphase healthcare fraud scheme” in one state. The Hartford, Connecticut-based payer filed the complaint Dec.

Is CVS going away?

In 2021, USA Today reported that CVS announced a plan to close nearly 900 stores from 2022 to 2024, with the goal of about 300 per year.

Is CVS Caremark cheaper at CVS?

If you choose to use a CVS retail pharmacy or CVS Caremark Mail Service, you will pay lower copayments than if you use other network retail pharmacies.

Can I only go to CVS with CVS Caremark?

A: No, you do not have to use a CVS Pharmacy. You may go to any pharmacy in our network of more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Does CVS Caremark still exist?

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.

How do I opt out of CVS Caremark?

You can OPT-OUT from the Maintenance Choice program and continue filling your 30-day supply of maintenance medication from a network pharmacy. To opt-out from the program, you must contact Customer Care at 1-800-776-1355. You will not benefit from the savings of a 90-day supply since higher retail copays will apply.

How does CVS Caremark make money?

Pharmacy benefit management is the part of CVS's business that processes prescription claims. Known by the name Caremark, it is distinct from CVS's pharmacy operations in that the former is a high-volume operator that deals directly with drug manufacturers, setting prices, handling mail orders, etc.

What is the advantage of CVS Caremark?

CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy is a convenient and cost-effective way for you to order up to a 90-day supply of maintenance or long-term medication. You can have your long-term medication delivered to your home, office or a location of your choice with free standard shipping.

Can you use a CVS Caremark card at Walmart?

The CVS/Caremark Retail Network includes more than 66,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including Walgreens, Target, Costco, Walmart, Rite Aid, Safeway, independent pharmacies, chain pharmacies, and 9,900 CVS Pharmacy locations.

Does Medicare use CVS Caremark?

Your secure Caremark account. Aetna Medicare partners with CVS Caremark®. This enables us to provide you with quality prescription drug coverage. And the services you need to easily manage your benefits.

Who bought out Aetna?

2017: On December 3, 2017, CVS Health announced the acquisition of Aetna for $69 billion. Larry Merlo became chief executive of the two brands. Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini resigned and Aetna President Karen S.

Is CVS laying off employees in 2024?

By: Nancy Lavin - December 2, 2024 2:52 pm

Both cuts were part of the pharmacy giant's already-announced plans to lay off 2,900 employees nationwide, equal to 1% of its workforce, amid a weakening balance sheet pulled down by a struggling insurance arm and changing health care landscape.

Why is Aetna so expensive?

Factors influencing Aetna insurance monthly costs

Plans with broader coverage and extensive benefits, such as lower deductibles, co-pays, and comprehensive services like dental and vision care, often come with higher monthly costs.

Who currently owns CVS?

U.S. The chain was owned by its original holding company Melville Corporation from its inception until its current parent company (CVS Health) was spun off into its own company in 1996.

How much did CVS pay for Caremark?

CVS, the second-biggest drugstore chain in the country, said today that it had agreed to acquire Caremark Rx, the leading pharmacy benefits manager, for about $21 billion in stock, based on Tuesday's closing price.

Is rx benefits the same as Caremark?

RxBenefits is your Pharmacy Benefit Administrator (PBA). We partner with the country's largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) to bring greater discounts, enhanced access, and improved Member Services to our clients and their employees. Your pharmacy benefits coverage will be with CVS Caremark.