When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, their oncologist becomes an anchor in what can be an overwhelming treatment journey. While oncologists guide the clinical plan, specialty pharmacy plays an equally critical role in enabling access to medication therapies and fast starts to therapy.
“CVS Specialty’s oncology-dedicated pharmacy teams support patients and their clinical care teams with high-touch, personalized specialty medication services nationwide,” says Linda Rivera, AVP, CVS Specialty Pharmacy Services.
“In the communities served by our 23 walk-in specialty pharmacies, our teams bring added understanding of local health systems, speak the language of the community, and patients can connect in person when it makes sense.”
CVS Specialty provides access to more than 250 oncology medications, including complex and limited distribution therapies. We support patients and prescribers in all 50 states with deep benefits expertise, identifying external affordability support and delivering high-touch personalized care. That support includes our 23 walk-in sites, located near major medical hubs.
Why faster starts that help patients stay on therapy matters
A cancer diagnosis sets off a race against time for more than 2 million Americans each year. Simplifying the process — from onboarding to dispensing, through evolving pharmacy care — is essential.
- Once we receive the script, patients are able to access their oncology medications in as little as under 3 days on average.
- CVS Specialty patients taking oral oncology therapies maintain a 92% average medication possession ratio (MPR), a strong indicator of adherence.
CVS Specialty patient appreciates the simplicity in oncology care
When Tennessee businessman and grandfather Samuel Thompson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, his oncologist recommended CVS Specialty.
His therapy requires FDA-mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) protocols, including precise coordination of new prescriptions, pharmacist-led adherence assessments, and delivery within a one week window.
Samuel and his physician work with a single point of contact — CVS Specialty oncology pharmacist, April Tabler, who manages every step.
“My care is complicated, and time is everything to me,” Samuel says. “April stays ahead of everything so I always get my medication on time.” He has remained adherent and in remission.
How our model supports affordability and faster starts to therapy
CVS Specialty’s technology integrates directly into prescribers’ EHR workflows, enabling real-time connectivity and faster onboarding.
>80% of specialty oncology patient records are visible through EHR.
>50% of prior authorizations (PA) requests are submitted without additional prescriber outreach, when permitted by payor rules, helping streamline the onboarding process.1
As soon as we receive a prescription, our teams verify benefits and identify available third party financial support options — such as foundation funding and manufacturer copay programs — to help address patient affordability needs.
“We look for every available foundation or manufacturer program, including for Medicare patients who are not eligible for copay cards,” notes Linda. “Affordability should never stand between a patient and treatment.”
Patients and prescribers at the center of our oncology specialty care model
In addition to providing a local, single point of contact for patients and prescribers, our walk-in specialty pharmacies combine clinical expertise with community-level understanding.
- For example, when our New York site identified a growing need for Mandarin- and Spanish-speaking oncology pharmacists, we hired them.
- Our teams understand regional payor nuances and prior authorization requirements, helping ensure patients move through the process quickly and smoothly.
Even when a patient’s coverage directs them to a non-CVS Specialty pharmacy, we complete the full benefit investigation, support prior authorization submission needs, and triage the prescription to an appropriate dispensing pharmacy—supporting the patient and prescriber to minimize disruptions and help ensure the patient begins therapy as smoothly and quickly as possible.
In addition, we have a dedicated team that manages infused and IV chemotherapy, where medications are typically shipped and managed through prescribers. These patients also receive external affordability options review and onboarding support.
Managing complexity across oncology pharmacy
Oncology medications are some of the most carefully monitored in the pharmacy landscape, especially those with REMS requirements.
CVS Specialty’s REMS-certified pharmacists regularly conduct ongoing safety checks, adherence assessments, refill coordination, and proactive outreach to keep therapy on track and meet the requirements.
Our Oncology Center of Excellence (CoE) and CareTeams are staffed by specially-trained pharmacists, technicians and support professionals focused entirely on oncology conditions and therapies, to better ensure patients receive tailored support throughout their treatments.
As cancer incidence rises nationwide, our commitment remains constant: simplify access, strengthen adherence, and support oncology patients and their clinicians so patients can focus on what matters most.
CVS Specialty Oncology Pharmacy Care Model at a Glance
- National scale with broad access: We support prescribers and patients across all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico, with exceptional experiences and access to more than 250 oncology medications, including complex and limited distribution drugs.
- Faster starts and affordability review: Our teams clarify benefits coverage and quickly identify applicable external copay assistance programs, including manufacturer programs and foundation funding.
- Local, patient-centered support: Our network of 23 walk-in specialty pharmacies draws on longstanding, trusted relationships within oncology communities to provide personalized, in-person support that helps patients access and stay on their therapies.
- Integrated, efficient prescriber experience: EHR connectivity reduces back-and-forth, minimizes callbacks, and accelerates therapy initiation.
- Deep oncology expertise: Our Oncology Center of Excellence (CoE) and dedicated CareTeams are staffed by pharmacists, technicians, and support professionals specially trained in oncology therapy management and patient support.
- Personalized adherence and ongoing support: Patients have 24/7 access to oncology pharmacists, condition-specific counseling, proactive monthly check-ins, and digital engagement tools to help them stay on therapy.
- Trusted by oncology prescribers: Nearly 24,000 oncology prescribers nationwide utilize our high-touch, responsive specialty oncology pharmacy services for their patients
