CVS Health Inc. (NYSE: CVS) is transforming health care delivery with the launch of CVS Health Virtual Primary Care, a unified digital platform that integrates virtual mental health services, primary care, on-demand care, and chronic condition management. This new platform will be available to eligible Aetna members beginning January 1, 2023, and to eligible CVS Caremark members in the second quarter of 2023, according to a company announcement.
Headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, CVS Health aims to bring care closer to patients’ everyday lives. CVS Health Virtual Primary Care is designed to simplify the patient experience, enabling individuals to connect with care providers from the comfort of their homes. “We’re meeting people where they are on their health care journey and providing care that is more convenient and easier to access,” said Dr. Creagh Milford, vice president of enterprise virtual care for CVS Health.
A Streamlined, Patient-Centered Model
The CVS Health Virtual Primary Care platform allows patients to form connections with physician-led Care Teams, which may include nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and licensed vocational nurses. In addition, the platform integrates support from a dedicated CVS pharmacist when needed—ensuring a full spectrum of care.
The platform also features an interoperable electronic health record (EHR) system to support communication across care providers and ensure continuity of care. While CVS Health has not revealed which EHR vendor is being used, the functionality will allow clinicians and patients to access vital health data, coordinate treatments, and make more informed decisions.
Patients using CVS Health Virtual Primary Care can also identify in-network providers for in-person services when necessary. This includes access to MinuteClinic locations—CVS Health’s retail-based clinics—with more than 1,100 locations nationwide. With over 9,000 retail sites and MinuteClinics across the country, CVS is uniquely positioned to offer an integrated care experience that spans both digital and physical spaces.
Mental Health Takes Center Stage
Mental health care is a cornerstone of CVS Health Virtual Primary Care. CEO Karen Lynch shared that CVS conducted 10 million virtual mental health visits in 2021—a staggering 1,000x increase compared to 2019. The rise in virtual visits highlights the need for easily accessible, stigma-free mental health support, which CVS Health Virtual Primary Care is well-equipped to provide.
Dan Finke, executive vice president and president of health care benefits, noted that the company expects to provide 8 million virtual behavioral health visits to Aetna plan members through this platform. This aligns with CVS Health’s strategic focus on expanding behavioral health services and making them available through modern, digital-first methods.
A Key Part of CVS Health’s Home-Based Care Vision
CVS Health Virtual Care also plays a critical role in the company’s expanding home-based care initiatives. CVS has spent the past year exploring innovative ways to deliver health services directly into patients’ homes, whether through virtual platforms or in-home visits. Aman Gill, director of product strategy and innovation at Aetna, emphasized this shift: “One of our mottos is, ‘Let’s meet our members where they are.’ If they want to be in the home, let’s figure out how to make that happen.”
By combining convenience, technology, and clinical expertise, CVS Health Virtual Primary Care offers a more personalized and accessible experience that appeals to a wide range of patients, especially those managing chronic conditions or seeking mental health support.
Leading the Way in Digital Health Innovation
CVS Health is positioning itself as a leader in virtual and hybrid health care delivery. With CVS Health Virtual Primary Care, the company is expanding its role beyond traditional retail pharmacy and insurance, integrating digital health solutions that support better outcomes, lower costs, and increased satisfaction.
This new model sets a precedent for what large-scale virtual care can look like—connected, team-based, and designed around the patient. As virtual health continues to grow, CVS Health Virtual Care may serve as a blueprint for other organizations looking to provide scalable, high-quality care solutions.
For patients, the benefits are clear: improved access, less time commuting, streamlined care coordination, and more flexibility in choosing when and how to receive care. As CVS Health continues to innovate, platforms like CVS Health Primary Care could play a major role in redefining the future of American health care.
