CVS^® pharmacists can now prescribe Paxlovid to treat COVID-19

Patients within five days of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can schedule an over-the-phone assessment with a CVS^® pharmacist by visiting CVS.com^® or using the CVS Pharmacy^® app. Based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, our digital screener will determine patient eligibility for clinical assessment and potential prescribing by a pharmacist. If for any reason a patient is deemed ineligible for a pharmacist consultation, they may be referred to a MinuteClinic^® medical clinic or to a primary care provider. Eligible patients who receive a pharmacist assessment and prescription for Paxlovid may have the prescription filled at the CVS Pharmacy location or another pharmacy of their choice. Patients must meet all eligibility requirements as defined by the FDA, and not all pharmacist assessments will result in a prescription. The cost for patients who are seeking assessment and treatment by a CVS pharmacist is $60, which is collected via credit/debit card at the time of scheduling. Patients may also use health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for the assessment. There is no cost to the patient for the oral antiviral medication Paxlovid, if prescribed.

Eligible patients within five days of COVID-19 symptom onset may seek a prescription from a pharmacist by first completing the digital eligibility screener on CVS.com or via the CVS Pharmacy app. Patients will be asked screening questions to determine eligibility. Patients must have had certain bloodwork performed in the past 12 months and must provide supporting documentation or electronic records. Pharmacists are required to review patient kidney and liver blood test values before prescribing Paxlovid. If a patient is unable to provide supporting documentation or a CVS pharmacist is unable to locate an Electronic Health Record (EHR), the pharmacist will attempt to contact the patient’s provider to verify results.

CVS Pharmacy is now offering the service in 49 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Patients are encouraged to use our digital eligibility screener on CVS.com and via the CVS Pharmacy app to make an appointment for an over-the-phone consultation. If a COVID-19 positive patient seeks an assessment within a retail pharmacy location, they will be sent a text message with a link to the digital eligibility form and asked to complete it outside of the building.

Under the FDA’s emergency use authorization, patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death, are eligible for Paxlovid. This includes people within five days of COVID-19 symptom onset, who are 12 years of age or older (and at least 88 pounds) and, for pharmacist prescribing, have certain bloodwork dated within the last 12 months available for review either by uploading to the digital screener or via the patient's electronic health record.

Once a patient completes our digital eligibility screener through CVS.com or the CVS Pharmacy app and is determined to be eligible, they can schedule an over-the-phone appointment with a pharmacist. The pharmacist will assess the patient and those who are eligible will receive a prescription for Paxlovid.

Per FDA guidance, CVS pharmacists are only authorized to prescribe Paxlovid for the treatment of COVID-19 at this time.

Patients who meet the eligibility criteria of the digital screener and who opt to seek clinical assessment and treatment for COVID-19 from a CVS pharmacist are responsible for an upfront payment, which varies by insurance. If the assessment is not covered by an insurance plan, there is an out-of-pocket fee of $60, which is collected via credit/debit card at the time of scheduling. Patients may also use HSA or FSA funds to pay for the assessment. We’re working to add payer partners for this pharmacist-provided care. Patients are encouraged to check with their health insurance plan to determine coverage under the pharmacy benefit. There is no cost to the patient for the oral antiviral medication Paxlovid, if prescribed. Payment is for the clinical assessment from a pharmacist, and not all assessments may result in a prescription depending on clinical eligibility. 

Unfortunately, patient care services provided by pharmacists are not covered by Medicare or certain state Medicaid plans, and we are unable to bill for these services. Patients who seek COVID-19 assessment and treatment by a CVS pharmacist will be provided with links to providers that can provide the service to the patient. Therefore, patients seeking COVID-19 assessment and treatment by a CVS pharmacist will have to pay for this service out of pocket. The fee, like those charged for other medical visits, covers the time spent reviewing the patient’s medical record, consulting with the patient and the patient’s health care team (if needed), and documenting the visit information in the patient’s medical chart. We are working with health insurers and third-party payers to determine if they will cover this service as we expand the offering to additional CVS Pharmacy locations. 

In recent years, pharmacists’ clinical ability has been recognized, leading states to increase patient access to care through pharmacy services. For example, in certain states, CVS pharmacists may evaluate patients and prescribe hormonal contraceptives for a fee. Ultimately, the FDA’s decision to allow pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid gives pharmacies the ability to increase access to high-quality and affordable COVID-19 care, giving pharmacists the opportunity to further practice at the top of their training and education and to be reimbursed for this important clinical work.

Patients may choose to send their prescription to the pharmacy of their choice.

All clinical assessment details, including information gathered during the digital eligibility screener and entered by the pharmacist during the scheduled assessment will be securely stored in the patient’s electronic health record. Health information with respect to this treatment will be sent to the patient's indicated primary care provider and after-visit summaries will be provided to the patient at the end of the visit.

The FDA updated its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid to allow pharmacists to prescribe it for the treatment of COVID-19. This action helps improve access to affordable care and positions the pharmacist as an integrated provider within the patient’s health care team. Pharmacists are among the most trusted health care professionals for their frequent and personal interactions with patients in local, accessible, and convenient pharmacy settings.

Before being allowed to prescribe Paxlovid, all CVS pharmacists will complete an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) approved continuing education training to help ensure their understanding of the clinical assessment and prescribing process for the medication. Additional system training, job aids, and tools are included to support safe pharmacist prescribing.

Because Paxlovid needs to be taken shortly following onset of COVID-19 symptoms, enabling pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid will help increase patient access to this important medication (when clinically appropriate). Eligible patients will be able to get a prescription upon the completion of a pharmacist assessment. In addition, a pharmacists’ ability to prescribe Paxlovid may also provide patients and payors with a more affordable site-of-care option.

CVS Health is committed to improving access and lowering health-care costs. We’re working to add payor partners for this pharmacist-provided care. Patients are encouraged to check with their health insurance or prescription benefit plan to determine coverage, as it may vary by provider. Unfortunately, patient care services provided by pharmacists are not covered by Medicare or certain state Medicaid plans, Medicare and certain Medicaid patients who seek COVID-19 assessment and treatment by a CVS pharmacist will be directed to alternate service providers.

Patients will not be charged for Paxlovid but will be responsible for the cost of the pharmacist’s clinical assessment even if they are determined clinically ineligible for a prescription.

This assessment fee is similar to the fee charged for other medical visits. This fee covers the clinical time spent reviewing the patient’s medical record, consulting with the patient’s health care team (if needed), and documenting visit information in the patient’s medical chart. CVS Health® is committed to providing safe, high-quality care that meets clinical prescribing guidelines. Prescriptions are not guaranteed and are only provided if clinically appropriate. Assessment fees are eligible for HSA and/or FSA funds. At this time, CVS Health is working to expand health plan coverage for pharmacist-provided care.

All CVS Pharmacy retail locations carry COVID-19 oral antiviral medications.

The federal government gives health care providers access to information about which pharmacies have supply of COVID-19 antiviral medications. Health care providers may also contact their local state health department to determine which area pharmacies are actively dispensing.

For the protection of patients, customers, and colleagues, COVID-19 positive patients prescribed this medication are encouraged to visit one of our drive-thru windows to pick up their prescription or have a caregiver pick up the medication for them. If the pharmacy does not have a drive-thru, or a caregiver is not available, patients can contact their pharmacist to discuss pick-up options. Same day delivery is also offered for a small fee at many of our locations and is free with a CarePass subscription.