CVS HEALTH CORPORATION - CVS STOCK NEWS

Aetna, a CVS Health Company (NYSE: CVS), has announced a significant expansion of fertility services coverage. Starting September 1, 2024, Aetna will offer intrauterine insemination (IUI) as a medical benefit for eligible plans, making it the first major insurer to update this coverage policy nationally. This landmark change aims to increase access to family-building options, regardless of sexual orientation or partner status.

The new policy removes the requirement for separate infertility benefit coverage and an infertility diagnosis, making IUI more accessible to a broader range of individuals, including LGBTQ+ and unpartnered people. This move aligns with Aetna's commitment to women's health and equity across all communities. The coverage will be implemented on a rolling basis for most plans upon renewal, with self-funded plan sponsors retaining the option to modify their coverage.

CVS Pharmacy® has launched a new collection of journals featuring cover designs inspired by the mental health and wellness journeys of four CVS Health colleagues. The journals are part of the Caliber® Fashion Artist Series, available in over 6,700 CVS Pharmacy stores and on CVS.com. The project began with a company-wide call for art, resulting in more than 75 submissions. The four selected designs showcase original artwork celebrating personal and emotional growth.

Each hardcover journal, priced at $8.99, includes the artist's statement on the inside cover. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the impact of art and journaling on daily life, particularly appealing to Millennial and Gen Z consumers. The journals are available in spiral-bound or saddle-stitched binding, offering versatility and style for customers seeking tools for wellness and personal growth.

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) has appointed Heidi Capozzi as the new Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, effective September 9. Capozzi will lead human resources, labor relations, compensation and benefits, and corporate social responsibility teams. She brings extensive experience from her previous roles at McDonald's and Boeing, where she served in senior HR positions.

CVS Health CEO Karen S. Lynch praised Capozzi's proven track record in building strong teams and advancing winning cultures. Capozzi expressed excitement about joining CVS Health and contributing to its mission of redefining healthcare delivery. She succeeds Laurie Havanec, who is leaving the company after playing a significant leadership role in recent years.

The CVS Health Foundation has announced $525,000 in new Health Zones funding to support the Central California Food Bank's (CCFB) City Center Collaborative in Fresno. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes by enhancing access to healthy food and comprehensive support services. The funding will be distributed among several organizations, including CCFB's First Fruits Market, Family Healthcare Network, Fresno Mission, Central La Familia Advocacy Services, CASA, and Social Vocational Services.

The announcement was made during a Project Health event at City Center, where CVS Health offered free health screenings. In 2023, CVS Health hosted 170 Project Health events in California, screening 6,977 participants. The Health Zones initiative in Fresno focuses on addressing food insecurity, with 1 in 4 people and 1 in 3 children facing hunger in the area.

AM Best has revised the outlook to stable from positive for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of Aetna Life Insurance Company and other Aetna Inc. subsidiaries, wholly owned by CVS Health (NYSE: CVS). The Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) was affirmed. The revision reflects unfavorable operating trends in the first half of 2024, driven by:

• Increased utilization in Medicare Advantage
• Higher acuity in Medicaid due to redeterminations
• Changes in individual exchange business risk adjustment accrual

These factors led CVS Health to lower its full-year 2024 profit outlook. Despite expected near-term profitability, earnings are projected to improve in 2025 due to corrective actions. The ratings consider Aetna's very strong balance sheet, strong performance, favorable business profile, and appropriate risk management.

CVS Health reported Q2 2024 results and revised its full-year 2024 guidance. Total revenues increased 2.6% to $91.2 billion, while GAAP diluted EPS decreased to $1.41 from $1.48 in the prior year. Adjusted EPS fell to $1.83 from $2.21, primarily due to declining Health Care Benefits segment performance. The company revised its 2024 guidance, lowering GAAP diluted EPS to $4.95-$5.20 from at least $5.64, and Adjusted EPS to $6.40-$6.65 from at least $7.00. Cash flow from operations guidance was reduced to approximately $9.0 billion from at least $10.5 billion. The Health Care Benefits segment faced challenges, including increased utilization and unfavorable Medicare Advantage star ratings impact. In response, CVS announced leadership changes in this segment.

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is taking proactive measures to support customers, patients, members, and colleagues as Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida and moves through Georgia and the Carolinas. The company is implementing strategies across its business units to ensure continuity of care:

• CVS Pharmacy is reminding patients to refill prescriptions and stocking up on emergency supplies.
• CVS Caremark is enabling emergency prescription refills in affected areas.
• CVS Specialty is arranging alternate delivery for specialty medications.
• Aetna is expanding engagement with Medicare and Commercial members and offering liberalized Resources For Living services.

CVS Health is also supporting employees in affected areas and providing community resources. The company advises customers to follow local evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to ensure access to medications during the hurricane.

CVS Health has launched a groundbreaking initiative to support patients vulnerable to health impacts from extreme weather events, starting with heat waves. The program uses advanced environmental data analytics combined with patient medical and pharmacy data to provide personalized solutions. Initially available to Aetna members, with plans to expand to MinuteClinic and CVS Pharmacy locations, the initiative enables proactive outreach to at-risk patients up to seven days before an extreme weather event.

Care managers offer tailored recommendations, including directing patients to cooling centers, health services, and medication management. In its first two weeks, the program has connected with hundreds of at-risk patients across over 20 states. The initiative aims to improve health outcomes, reduce medical expenditures, and minimize hospital stays and emergency visits. It will expand in the fall to address air pollution-related health risks.

CVS Caremark, the leading pharmacy benefit manager and CVS Health company, has announced a renewed pledge to enhance transparency, reduce drug costs, and improve clinical care. The Caremark Client and Member Pledge focuses on:

1. Delivering greater affordability with an average out-of-pocket cost of less than $8 for a 30-day supply.
2. Promoting lowest net cost drugs.
3. Strengthening alignment between benefit design, physician choice, and patient need.
4. Innovating for greater transparency with the new TrueCost™ solution.
5. Encouraging pharmacy models that deliver rebate value directly to patients.
6. Improving relations with pharmacies.
7. Changing the trajectory of drug costs.

CVS Caremark aims to be a counterweight against pharmaceutical price hikes and continue putting medicine within reach for millions of Americans.