CVS Health establishes new Illinois, Arizona clinical affiliates

CVS Health said on Tuesday that it has established new clinical affiliations with Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, as well as the latter's accountable-care organization, Arizona Connected Care.

The new affiliations will help enhance access to high-quality, affordable health care services for patients.

"In this era of health care reform, we are pleased to work with these health care providers to develop collaborative programs that enhance access to patient care, improve health outcomes and lower health care costs in the communities they serve," Dr. Troyen Brennan, CVS Health's chief medical officer, said.

CVS Health will provide prescription and office-visit information to participating affiliates through the integration of secured electronic health-record systems that will enhance clinical care for patients.

"By integrating our electronic health records and information systems, we will collectively have a more comprehensive view of our patients, which can aid in health care decision making and help ensure patients adhere to important medications for chronic diseases."

In addition, patients will continue to have access to medication counseling, clinical support, wellness programs and chronic-disease monitoring at CVS/pharmacy stores and MinuteClinic, CVS Health’s retail medical clinic.

These new clinical affiliations bring CVS Health and MinuteClinic’s total number of health systems and health care provider affiliations to more than 50 major health systems and health care providers nationwide.