CVS HEALTH CORPORATION - CVS STOCK NEWS

On September 22, 2020, U.S. News & World Report, alongside the Aetna Foundation, unveiled the third annual Healthiest Communities rankings, with new tools tracking COVID-19 data and its effects on community health. The initiative, part of CVS Health’s $100 million commitment to community wellness, emphasizes the disparities worsened by the pandemic. Top-ranked communities include Los Alamos County, New Mexico, and Douglas County, Colorado. The rankings evaluate 3,000 communities based on 84 health metrics across multiple categories.

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) announced plans to establish over 2,000 new COVID-19 drive-thru test sites, aiming to exceed 4,000 locations by mid-October. This expansion solidifies CVS's position as the operator of the largest number of independent COVID-19 test sites in the U.S., facilitating testing in 33 states and Washington, DC. The tests are self-swabbed at no cost to patients meeting CDC criteria and results are typically available within 2-3 days. CVS emphasizes its commitment to community health and access to essential services during the pandemic.

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) will invest $13.7 million to renovate 230 low-income housing units at Rosewind apartments in Columbus, Ohio. This initiative is part of the company's broader $600 million commitment over five years to tackle racial inequality and improve social determinants of health. The investment aims to enhance affordable housing access, providing necessary rehab and support programs in the community. Collaborating with local organizations, CVS will also fund health screenings, educational programs, and workforce initiatives to build sustainable community support.

CVS Health announced a special access program for Apple Fitness+, targeting clients, customers, and employees. The plan includes a one-year subscription offer for Aetna commercial and CVS Caremark members, with more details forthcoming. CVS Pharmacy ExtraCare members and current employees will receive a free two-month trial upon the launch of Fitness+. This initiative is part of the ongoing relationship between Aetna and Apple, aimed at enhancing health and wellness for users via a personalized workout experience. Fitness+ integrates metrics from the Apple Watch, making workouts more engaging.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, announced on September 15, 2020, that it will ship "Caring for You" kits to its Medicare Advantage members nationwide. These kits, aimed at supporting members during the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, will include essential items like thermometers, hand sanitizers, and face masks. Members enrolled by August 1, 2020, will receive these kits at no cost, with shipments beginning the previous week and continuing through fall. Additionally, Aetna is waiving member costs for in-network primary care and telehealth visits until December 31, 2020.

CVS Health announced the expansion of COVID-19 testing to children aged 12 and older at over 2,000 drive-thru test sites, effective September 11, 2020. The initiative responds to the urgent need for testing among minors as schools reopen. CVS has also increased its independent lab partners to expedite test result delivery, which typically takes 2–3 days. Self-swab tests are available at no cost to patients, with registration required in advance. To date, CVS has administered over three million COVID-19 tests since March 2020.

CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) announced that CEO Larry Merlo and CFO Eva Boratto will engage in a fireside chat with investors at the Morgan Stanley 18th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on September 15, 2020, at 8:00 am ET. This event highlights CVS's commitment to evolving as a consumer-centric health company with nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, including innovative HealthHUB® locations. The company is focused on enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability through various programs designed to manage chronic conditions.

Benedict College and CVS Health have launched a free rapid COVID-19 testing site on the Columbia campus, available to the public by appointment. This collaborative effort aims to enhance access to testing in the community, with operational staffing provided by CVS pharmacists. Testing will run until September 30, 2020, requiring pre-registration via phone. Local leaders, including Congressman Clyburn and Mayor Benjamin, emphasized the importance of testing for public health. CVS also operates over 1,800 drive-thru testing locations nationwide, focusing on vulnerable communities.

CVS Health has announced enhancements to its prescription drug security and disposal initiatives in Massachusetts. The company installed time delay safe technology in all 446 locations in the state, aimed at reducing pharmacy robberies by 50%. Additionally, CVS is adding 50 new safe medication disposal units, expanding its total to 256 in Massachusetts. These measures address the ongoing challenge of prescription drug misuse, especially opioids. CVS has previously donated over 1,000 disposal units to law enforcement and collected over 1.8 million pounds of unwanted medications nationwide.