WOONSOCKET, R.I., Dec. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS
Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced Transform Oncology Care™,
anchored on a first-of-its-kind precision medicine strategy for
payors. The program uses genomic testing results at the
point-of-prescribing to help patients start on the best treatment,
faster and in addition, matches eligible patients to clinical
trials. Transform Oncology Care also uses the Company's
local footprint and unique assets to improve patient outcomes and
lower overall costs at every point of the cancer care
journey.
"Timing in cancer care is everything and when a patient does not
get started on the right treatment it can result in progression and
higher costs," said Alan Lotvin,
M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer,
CVS Health. "We are the first company working to make the latest in
precision medicine accessible to more patients and further empower
informed treatment decision-making based on a patient's genetic
profile to give them the best chance for successful treatment and
improved quality-of-life."
Connecting Guidelines to Genetic Testing for the Best
Treatment, Faster
The innovative precision medicine
strategy, delivered in close coordination with oncologists, uses
results of broad-panel gene sequencing tests and the latest
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment and
supportive care guidelines to help oncologists identify and start
their patients on the most precise, appropriate treatment regimen
based on their clinical and genetic profiles. Therapeutic regimens
that align to NCCN guidelines, including those matched with the
results of the broad-panel gene sequencing tests, will
automatically receive prior authorization approval, speeding time
to start of the therapy for patients. The strategy is enabled by an
innovative collaboration with Tempus, a technology company
advancing precision medicine through the practical application of
artificial intelligence in healthcare.
"CVS Health is making great strides in advancing patient care,
and we are thrilled to contribute the benefits of genomic testing
to these efforts," said Ryan
Fukushima, Chief Operating Officer of Tempus. "We believe
this collaboration has real potential to personalize treatment for
patients while also reducing the total cost of care."
Today, the majority of cancers when diagnosed early can be
effectively managed, treated or even cured1. For
patients diagnosed with late-stage cancers, however, many can
benefit from advanced genomic testing, yet very few eligible
patients receive this type of testing today. This can inhibit the
start of the most appropriate treatment and result in cancer
progression and higher costs. For these patients, a web-based
provider portal, built into the e-prescribing workflow, informs
oncologists of the availability of Tempus' broad-panel gene
sequencing tests at diagnosis, which are more comprehensive than
the single-gene tests that are used today. The broad-panel tests
identify a patient's genomic variants and the therapeutic options
specific to their molecular and clinical profile. The testing
results also match and help support the rapid enrollment of
eligible patients in local clinical trials through Tempus'
proprietary platform, facilitating broader access to experimental
therapies. In addition, the portal provides oncologists real-time
access to the latest NCCN guidelines at the
point-of-prescribing.
The program includes CVS Health nurse-led care management,
integrated with payor's existing programs, to create a more
personalized experience for patients and their caregivers and close
existing gaps in care. In addition, payors can adopt value-based
contracts that employ provider networks to drive high-quality care
and lower costs. Transform Oncology Care also uses the CVS
Health's accessible, local footprint, connected data and integrated
systems to help better identify and intervene with patients who
could benefit from preventive or screening services.
Transform Oncology Care is available to other health
plans. Aetna has adopted the program for fully insured
commercial populations and is rolling it out with participating
Aetna provider networks in 12 states.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is the nation's premier
health innovation company helping people on their path to better
health. Whether in one of its pharmacies or through its health
services and plans, CVS Health is pioneering a bold new approach to
total health by making quality care more affordable, accessible,
simple and seamless. CVS Health is community-based and locally
focused, engaging consumers with the care they need when and where
they need it. The Company has approximately 9,900 retail locations,
approximately 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy
benefits manager with approximately 102 million plan members, a
dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one
million patients per year and expanding specialty pharmacy
services. CVS Health also serves an estimated 38 million people
through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health
insurance products and related services, including rapidly
expanding Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone
Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company believes its
innovative health care model increases access to quality care,
delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care
costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the
future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media
Contact:
Christina Beckerman
401-770-8868
Christina.Beckerman@cvshealth.com
Investor Contact:
Valerie
Haertel
401-770-4050
Valerie.Haertel@cvshealth.com
1
https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2019/cancer-facts-and-figures-2019.pdf
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SOURCE CVS Health