Veterans Affairs and CVS Health Corp (NYSE:CVS) have entered into a collaboration meant to benefit the veterans visiting the Phoenix VA medical center. The duo’s collaboration aims at expanding access to high quality while at the same time improving the convenience. Veterans in Phoenix and surrounding communities will not have to wait for long for the services.
Phoenix VA HCS nurses will be allowed to refer Veterans to MinuteClinic but only for the management of minor illnesses and injuries. The new initiative is timely given that VA has on several occasions been alleged of having chronically long wait times.
An important step in enhancing choice and flexibility
The Phoenix pilot program is a test-run by VA Secretary David Shulkin. He is seeking to establish a nationwide plan, which will reduce veterans’ wait times. Nonetheless, he has expressed his desire to have a broader collaboration primarily between the VA and the private sector. Interestingly, the veterans will not be bound by the existing limitations under the VA’s Choice program.
The innovative program introduces and access points for receiving care. Senator John McCain says, “I’ve long believed that Veterans in need of routine health care services should not have to wait in line for weeks to get an appointment.”
Problems with the Phoenix facility
McCain argues that veterans should be allowed to visit community health centers for timely attendance. Other benefits that are likely to come with the new initiative is the elimination of Choice’s 30-day, 40-mile restrictions. This means VA can conclude on the need for outside care.
However, the Phoenix facility has a number of issues that ought to be settled out. Of the many veterans surveyed about the facility, 61% expressed their disappointment in obtaining an appointment for urgent primary care. Maureen McCarthy, the Phoenix VA’s chief of staff also pointed out at an impending challenge of being able to offer flawless coordination to avoid gaps in care.
Nonetheless, the new CVS partnership is the beginning point of enhancing the successful provision of healthcare services. In the meantime, CVS’ stock closed at $78.25 a fall of $0.48 or 0.61%.
