The majority of Americans believe that health technology plays a valuable role in improving care outcomes and unlocking cost savings. In fact, a recent CVS Health poll conducted by Morning Consult found that nearly eight in 10 Americans (77 percent) believe that technology has a positive impact on health care outcomes, while six in 10 (60 percent) say that technology has a positive impact on health care costs. When asked how health technology can specifically enable quality and cost improvements, Americans rank technological tools that simplify and coordinate their care as the most important.
Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of connecting patients to technological tools that make health care more convenient, consistent and affordable. At CVS Health, we’re utilizing technology to ensure that patients and their providers can easily access health services at any time or location, and also improve the coordination of their care.
Simplifying Care Delivery
Technological tools and solutions can make it easier for patients and caregivers to manage health services on the go. According to the survey, Americans are most comfortable using technology that assists with appointment scheduling and prescription management:
77 percent of respondents are comfortable with using mobile/online appointment scheduling, and 57 percent have already used technological tools to schedule an appointment with their provider.
Similarly, 72 percent are comfortable with using mobile/online prescription scheduling, and 48 percent have already used these services to manage their medications.
From prescription reminders and refills to appointment scheduling with a trusted health care provider, CVS Health offers several digital tools to help patients manage their care.
Recognizing it is not always easy to find an appointment with a local, trusted health care provider, CVS Health is committed to expanding access to providers in communities nationwide. That’s why our 1,100 MinuteClinic locations have evening and weekend hours, with the ability to view estimated wait times and schedule an appointment online. Furthermore, care delivered at our MinuteClinic locations is up to 80 percent less expensive than comparable care provided at emergency rooms.
Ensuring that patients take their medicines on-time and as directed is key to improving health outcomes and preventing costly hospital visits. CVS Health offers technological solutions that make it easier for patients to manage their prescriptions.
ScriptPath Prescription Schedule provides an at-a-glance view of patients’ medications, telling them exactly what to take, when to take it, and how much to take in a clear and simple way.
ScriptSync enables patients and caregivers with multiple maintenance medications to pick up all of their eligible prescriptions at the same time in a monthly CVS Pharmacy visit.
Strengthening Health Care Coordination
Health care can be complex and fragmented, making it difficult for critical information to follow patients from one care setting to the next. According to the survey, stronger coordination and connectivity among providers is needed to help patients better manage their conditions.
Technology is considered a key solution for bridging the gaps among care teams. For example, the majority of respondents (62 percent) report that doctors sharing their information electronically with other providers has a positive impact on health outcomes. Furthermore:
84 percent of respondents say it is important for their providers to utilize technology to transfer health data between care facilities;
84 percent of respondents say it is important for their doctors to utilize technology to communicate among other care providers, including pharmacists and retail health practitioners; and
77 percent of respondents say it is important for their providers to utilize technology to track disease information via mobile/web portals and share relevant information with their full care teams.
CVS Health utilizes innovative technologies to improve and advance the coordination of care across settings:
Our strategic partnership with Epic enables connectivity with 90 percent of health records in the United States and supports the development of a comprehensive clinical database to enhance medication counseling.
We provide prescribers with visibility into specific benefit information and costs for their patients through our real-time benefits program.
For more information about CVS Health’s efforts to improve access to quality care across the nation, visit our Quality & Access information center and the CVS Health Impact Dashboard. To stay informed about the latest updates and innovations from CVS Health, register for content alerts and our bi-weekly health care newsletter.