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How CVS Is Building on Its Consumer-Health Care Technology Push
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Key Takeaways
CVS is building Health100 and Haio to simplify health care and improve consumer engagement.
Technology has helped CVS approve over 95% of eligible prior authorizations within 24 hours.
CVS' AI claims tool aims to cut processing time by more than 20% on hundreds of millions of claims.
CVS Health (CVS - Free Report) sees its technology investments as an inflection point as it works to become a more consumer-based health care technology company. Last year, the company committed to invest $20 billion over the next decade in emerging technologies to simplify the health care experience and improve customer engagement. The investment includes developing an open platform that can provide seamless access to payers, providers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), pharmacies and digital health tools.
CVS recently began the targeted launch of its Health100 platform, including Haio, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant designed to simplify the consumer experience and help people better engage in their care journey. The company expects to expand access later this year following encouraging early feedback.
CVS is also using technology to simplify the health care experience for providers, focusing on some of the highest priorities, such as prior authorizations, claims processing and access to real-time patient information. Aetna has the fewest medical services subject to prior authorization in the industry. CVS’ focus on embedding technology within each of its businesses has enabled it to approve more than 95% of the eligible prior authorizations within 24 hours, with more than 80% being approved in real time.
The company also launched an AI-enabled claims assist manager, which is expected to reduce processing time by more than 20% and accelerate payments for providers on hundreds of millions of claims annually. CVS is also scaling its Aetna clinical collaboration program, which brings Aetna nurses together with hospital staff to support Medicare Advantage members during care transitions.
Technology infrastructure changes are helping modernize platforms and accelerate data sharing and connectivity with providers and payer partners. CVS Specialty’s focus on technology, automation and AI has helped it maintain adherence above 90% compared with the 80% industry standard.
Updates From CVS Health’s Peers
Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) generated $63.7 billion in fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 revenues, up 6% year over year. Growth was led by strong demand in the company’s Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment with contributions from three growth businesses within Other - at-Home Solutions, Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions and OptiFreight Logistics. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased 40% to $2.91, reflecting the jump in non-GAAP earnings, including the recognition of a one-time net operating profit impact of International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff refunds of $100 million in CAH’s Global Medical Products and Distribution segment, a lower effective tax rate and a lower share count.
UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 revenues of $112 billion were largely consistent with the prior year. Operating earnings of $8 billion grew 55% year over year, reflecting product and portfolio actions taken over the past 12 months, along with targeted management disciplines. UNH attributed the lower-than-expected medical cost trends in Medicare so far this year largely to its initiatives, including benefit design, care management models and network curation.
CVS’ Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Year to date, CVS Health shares have risen 19.6% compared with the industry’s 1.2% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CVS shares are trading at a forward five-year price-to-sales ratio of 0.29, lower than the 0.52 industry average. The stock has a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The consensus estimate for the company’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has been showing a bullish trend.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
How CVS Is Building on Its Consumer-Health Care Technology Push
Key Takeaways
CVS Health (CVS - Free Report) sees its technology investments as an inflection point as it works to become a more consumer-based health care technology company. Last year, the company committed to invest $20 billion over the next decade in emerging technologies to simplify the health care experience and improve customer engagement. The investment includes developing an open platform that can provide seamless access to payers, providers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), pharmacies and digital health tools.
CVS recently began the targeted launch of its Health100 platform, including Haio, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant designed to simplify the consumer experience and help people better engage in their care journey. The company expects to expand access later this year following encouraging early feedback.
CVS is also using technology to simplify the health care experience for providers, focusing on some of the highest priorities, such as prior authorizations, claims processing and access to real-time patient information. Aetna has the fewest medical services subject to prior authorization in the industry. CVS’ focus on embedding technology within each of its businesses has enabled it to approve more than 95% of the eligible prior authorizations within 24 hours, with more than 80% being approved in real time.
The company also launched an AI-enabled claims assist manager, which is expected to reduce processing time by more than 20% and accelerate payments for providers on hundreds of millions of claims annually. CVS is also scaling its Aetna clinical collaboration program, which brings Aetna nurses together with hospital staff to support Medicare Advantage members during care transitions.
Technology infrastructure changes are helping modernize platforms and accelerate data sharing and connectivity with providers and payer partners. CVS Specialty’s focus on technology, automation and AI has helped it maintain adherence above 90% compared with the 80% industry standard.
Updates From CVS Health’s Peers
Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) generated $63.7 billion in fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 revenues, up 6% year over year. Growth was led by strong demand in the company’s Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment with contributions from three growth businesses within Other - at-Home Solutions, Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions and OptiFreight Logistics. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased 40% to $2.91, reflecting the jump in non-GAAP earnings, including the recognition of a one-time net operating profit impact of International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariff refunds of $100 million in CAH’s Global Medical Products and Distribution segment, a lower effective tax rate and a lower share count.
UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 revenues of $112 billion were largely consistent with the prior year. Operating earnings of $8 billion grew 55% year over year, reflecting product and portfolio actions taken over the past 12 months, along with targeted management disciplines. UNH attributed the lower-than-expected medical cost trends in Medicare so far this year largely to its initiatives, including benefit design, care management models and network curation.
CVS’ Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Year to date, CVS Health shares have risen 19.6% compared with the industry’s 1.2% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CVS shares are trading at a forward five-year price-to-sales ratio of 0.29, lower than the 0.52 industry average. The stock has a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The consensus estimate for the company’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has been showing a bullish trend.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CVS currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.