CVS Caremark study finds need for improvements in healthcare access, costs

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS Caremark announced on Thursday the results of its 2009 “Health IQ” study, which underscores the need to improve health outcome, increase access and curb costs.

The study, which examined consumer attitudes and behaviors around health care and prescription usage, was commissioned in April among 2,000 consumers who report taking at least one maintenance medication. Cooper Research, a healthcare research company in Cincinnati, conducted the Internet-based study.

According to the findings, 13% of respondents were not covered by a prescription drug health insurance plan. Those under the age of 65 and those with a household income of less than $50,000 are less likely to be covered. In addition, 15% of caregivers are not covered. Roughly 1-in-10 consumers do not obtain yearly checkups, but the number jumps to 26% for those without prescription drug coverage.

The study also found that many consumers consider prescription costs to be confusing and 66% have not spoken to anyone in the past 12 months about how to save money on their prescriptions, while one-fourth of respondents said they simply don?t know who to ask. Among the one-third who have sought advice, an equal proportion spoke to their pharmacist or their doctor.

To help improve medication adherence, CVS Caremark offers its Proactive Pharmacy Care program, which is focused on helping consumers understand the benefits of taking their medicine consistently, and how they can reduce the cost.