WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aetna®, a CVS
Health® company (NYSE CVS), announced the launch of its designated
Gene-based, Cellular, and Other Innovative Therapies™ (GCIT)
network. This network is designed to enable members' access to new
therapies that treat and potentially cure rare genetic diseases,
while helping to manage the high cost of these therapies. Aetna's
national GCIT network includes access to more than 75 designated
GCIT service providers that have demonstrated quality and value in
the delivery of GCIT services.
"We're creating a differentiated provider network that our
customers can experience as being caring, connected and
convenient," said Richard Gentleman, Executive Director,
National Partner Strategy, Aetna. "Our multi-pronged approach
encompasses safety, member access to cutting-edge therapies, and
cost management to support the medical and economic needs of our
members and customers. It also paves the way for future
FDA-approved gene therapies to be added quickly and
cost-effectively so that we can help more people achieve their best
health."
Beginning January 1, 2022, Aetna's
designated GCIT network will provide three gene therapy services,
including Luxturna, Spinraza and Zolgensma for the treatment of
inherited retinal disease and spinal muscular atrophy. The GCIT
network is included as a standard medical benefit in all Aetna
fully insured plans and is also available to self-insured
plans.
Through Aetna's designated GCIT network, members and customers
benefit from:
- A comprehensive strategy to support access and manage the cost
of current and future FDA-approved gene therapies.
- A network of more than 75 designated GCIT service providers
that have demonstrated quality and value in the delivery of GCIT
services.
- A dedicated clinical team to guide members and providers
through the health care process, including case management, where
applicable, and travel and lodging support for members who need to
travel 100 miles or more for care.
The GCIT network also offers a financial protection program for
CVS Caremark clients and Aetna plan sponsors who do not have
traditional stop-loss.
"Gene therapy is poised for significant growth in the coming
years, and the promise of durable improvement for patients with
challenging diseases is exciting," said Joanne Armstrong, M.D., MPH, Chief Medical
Officer, Women's Health and Genomics at CVS Health. "Yet, high
costs associated with these therapies continue to pose a
significant challenge. It is therefore vital that they are
delivered by highly-specialized providers in an environment that
can provide the patient receiving the therapy a high potential of a
successful outcome."
By utilizing a GCIT-designated provider, members will be
receiving treatment from a provider that has demonstrated
experience in providing these unique services. Providers in the
GCIT network must meet manufacturer-specific guidelines and Aetna
cost and credentialing standards.
Since 2018, Aetna has managed Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell
(CAR-T) services, an early genetically engineered therapy, through
a long-standing transplant network department, the National Medical
Excellence Program®. An additional 120 bone marrow/stem cell
transplant facilities that have been designated to perform CAR-T
services are located here.
A list of GCIT-approved network facilities can be found here. To
learn about additional solutions CVS Health is developing to help
mitigate the financial impact for our customers and their plan
members, please read our white paper on gene therapy.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000
dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians,
pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever
people need us, we help them with their health – whether that's
managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their
medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services
in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health
care system – and their personal health care – by improving access,
lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful
moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.
Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.
About Aetna
Aetna, a CVS Health business, serves an estimated 34 million
people with information and resources to help them make better
informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad
range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health
insurance products and related services, including medical,
pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical
management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services,
workers' compensation administrative services and health
information technology products and services. Aetna's customers
include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time
and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers,
governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and
expatriates. For more information, visit www.aetna.com and explore
how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world.
Media contact
Ethan
Slavin
860-273-6095
SlavinE@cvshealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health