CVS (US)


December 9, 2024

[WBA, CVS] SCOTUS Sides with Arkansas Law; For Now, Contract Pharmacies Have Upper Hand vs. Pharma

By Beth Steindecker

This morning, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) afforded a win to state laws protecting the use of contract retail, mail-order and specialty pharmacies (WBA, CVS, WMT, UNH, CI, RAD) that arehired by 340B hospitals and clinics…

Read More >>

December 6, 2024

[HUM, ALHC, UNH, CVS, ELV, AGL] Expectations for CY26 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice

By Beth Steindecker

KEY TAKEAWAYS: We expect the proposed YoY change in the CY26 benchmarks for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is likely to be relatively flat, with a range between -1% and +1% that excludes coding trend, but…

Read More >>

December 3, 2024

[WBA, CVS, WMT] 340B Case on Deck at SCOTUS Conference; Regardless of Resolution, Target Remains on 340B

By Beth Steindecker

We could see some short-term positive news for retail, mail-order and specialty pharmacies (WBA, CVS, WMT, UNH, CI) if the Supreme Court decides not to hear the appeal of PhRMA v. McClain, a development that…

Read More >>

October 21, 2024

Managed Care Policy Puts and Takes

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: We remain optimistic about the long-term policy outlook for the managed care industry, despite the puts and takes for different business lines associated with the outcome of the upcoming elections on Nov. 5….

Read More >>

October 11, 2024

Negative Tone Confirmed for CY25 Medicare Advantage Stars and Beyond as Goalposts Continue to Move

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: As we expected, CMS’s release of the CY25 Medicare Advantage (MA)/Part D star ratings continues to limit program “largesse,” making bonus awards more selective and ratings harder to maintain YoY. For CY25, fewer…

Read More >>

October 8, 2024

Negative Tone Ahead for Medicare Advantage Stars While Awaiting CY25 Awards

By Beth Steindecker

Key Takeaways: Developments involving Humana (HUM) and UnitedHealth (UNH) last week show CMS remains intent on limiting the financial “largesse” insurers receive in its Medicare Advantage (MA)/Part D (PDP) star rating quality bonus program by…

Read More >>