CVS plans aggressive expansion of healthcare services

Pharmacy chain CVS announced plans to open 1,500 “HealthHUB” locations across the country in the next three years, another major move that shows that traditional physicians practices will face further competition from mega corporations.

CVS already has more than 1,000 MinuteClinics in the United States, in which non-physician providers, usually a nurse practitioner, provides acute care for minor illnesses and injuries, along with basic screening services.

The HealthHUB concept goes beyond that, and represents “a powerful example of how CVS Health can provide consumers with convenient, personalized and integrated access to local healthcare,” according to a CVS press release.

Each HealthHUB has a “care concierge team” that works with customers to guide them through various services, including acute care, nutrition counseling, and chronic disease management for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

CVS already has HealthHUBs as pilot programs in a handful of Houston-area stores. The plan is to convert about 50 CVS locations in 2019 in Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Tampa. The rest of the expansion will occur during the following two years.

"Going forward, we also have truly exciting opportunities to introduce programs and products that will change the way people think of and address their health,” said CVS Health Chief Financial Officer Eva Boratto, in a news release.

CVS competitor Walgreens also is planning healthcare pilot programs in Houston, partnering with VillageMD to open primary care clinics adjacent to five Walgreens stores before the end of 2019.

CVS is also seeking a merger with insurer Aetna, a multi-billion-dollar deal that would reshape the healthcare landscape. The proposed merger has faced increase scrutiny, however, as the federal judge tasked with signing off on the deal said on June 4 that he had anti-trust concerns regarding the merger.