CVS plans to launch a pilot program this summer to help Aetna knee replacement surgery patients with care before and after their procedures, an Aetna spokesperson confirmed to Becker's ASC Review.
The program aims to cut costs by decreasing hospital readmission, the spokesperson said. The program was announced by CVS CEO Larry Merlo at the Medicare Advantage conference in Washington, D.C. July 23, according to a report from Healthcare Dive.
The coordinated care pilot will manage pre- and postoperative care for patients through CVS pharmacy locations, an at-home clinical team and telehealth.
According to Healthcare Dive, a video shown at the conference depicted an Aetna beneficiary consulting a CVS case manager to check whether her knee replacement surgeon was in network and to schedule a postoperative assessment. The patient in the video was also shown using the CVS pharmacy to manage her prescriptions and buy a cane to use after her operation.
CVS declined to disclose where the pilot would run.