CVS Health runs pharmacies, health insurance plans and medical clinics for individuals, employers and government programs across the United States. Its businesses include CVS Pharmacy, the Aetna insurer and Caremark, which manages prescription coverage and negotiates drug prices for health plans. Patients fill prescriptions in stores or by mail and receive care through walk-in clinics, primary care centers and home visits. The company earns money from prescription sales, insurance premiums, plan administration fees and clinical services, combining coverage with places to obtain treatment. Its first store opened in 1963, and its headquarters are in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Founded
1963
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CVS Health has opened its first pharmacy-focused location in the Boston area, situated at 32 Warren Street in Roxbury. The company plans to launch nearly 20 such locations across the US in 2026 to increase access to pharmacy care. The new format features full-service pharmacies averaging 3,000 square feet, offering prescription medications, immunisations, and over-the-counter products. Customers can order additional items with free home delivery. The Roxbury site includes a medication disposal bin and safe needle collection point. These smaller pharmacies complement CVS's existing formats, including traditional stores, store-in-store locations in Target and Schnucks, and sites with MinuteClinic facilities. According to CVS Health's 2025 Rx Report, 80% of patients prefer face-to-face pharmacy care, whilst 48% would switch pharmacies if limited to digital-only options.
CVS Health faces an unquantified headwind from its 340B drug discount programme heading into 2027, management warned during its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call in August. The company's shares have fallen 15.2% over the past three months, even as management raised its 2026 earnings outlook. The 340B business, which serves eligible healthcare organisations, is experiencing pressure as drugmakers limit programme coverage. Management expects this drag to continue affecting its pharmacy services business in 2027 but declined to quantify the potential impact. CVS's Health Services segment, which likely includes the 340B business, generated $190.4 billion in revenue during fiscal 2025. The company trades at 22.5 times trailing earnings, roughly level with the S&P 500's 22.4 multiple.
CVS Health's Omnicare division has completed its Chapter 11 bankruptcy liquidation after selling its business operations for $250 million. A Texas bankruptcy judge approved the wind-down plan following a $440 million settlement with the Justice Department over improper billing practices. Omnicare, which served nursing homes and long-term care facilities, filed for bankruptcy in September 2025 after facing a $949 million judgement for fraudulently dispensing drugs without valid prescriptions and billing federal healthcare programmes for false claims. The settlement requires CVS to pay $130 million upfront and cover the remaining $310 million if Omnicare fails to do so by March 2028. GenieRx Holdings, a joint partnership between Milrose Capital and Integro Asset Management, purchased Omnicare's operations. The sale is expected to close next month.
CVS Health shares have declined 2.1% over the past three months, prompting investors to consider whether now is an opportune time to buy. The healthcare giant, which operates approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations and serves more than 35 million people through its health insurance business, reported second-quarter revenue of $106 billion, up 7.3% year-over-year. Adjusted earnings per share rose 43% in the same period. The company offers a dividend yield of 2.8%, with its annual payout increasing from $2 in 2021 to $2.66 per share recently. Shares currently trade at $95, with one analyst setting a price target of $120. The stock's forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11 sits slightly above its five-year average of 10.
The health insurance industry may have recovered from high medical costs, with analysts predicting strong growth through 2030. Morningstar forecasts 16% annual earnings per share growth for major insurers, above the industry's typical low-double-digit target. Health insurers are improving profitability by raising rates to cover increased medical utilisation. UnitedHealth Group reported over $5 billion in second-quarter net income, with its medical care ratio falling to 86.7% from 89.4% year-over-year. The outlook also improved for pharmacy benefit management operations at companies like UnitedHealth, CVS Health, and Cigna. Despite increased regulatory scrutiny, the "big three" PBMs maintain strong competitive positions. Third-quarter earnings reports next month should provide further clarity on the industry's financial health.