Cold Water on CVS Health Breakup Rumors: CEO David Joyner Commits to Improving Diversified Portfolio

Cold water has been tossed on the idea that CVS Health would break up the company and sell off health or pharmacy benefits from assets that provide medical care if you listen closely to the company’s new chief executive.

In his first earnings call following a quarterly earnings report, CEO David Joyner gave no indication any company breakup was in the cards as some media outlets led by a two-byline “exclusive” story a few weeks ago in the Wall Street Journal speculated. In fact, Joyner committed to forging ahead to improve the diversified portfolio of businesses CVS has that include drugstores and an array of outpatient services and primary care clinics; the Caremark pharmacy benefit management company and Aetna, which has more than 27 million medical members as the nation’s third largest health insurance company.

“We have the leading PBM, the best-run pharmacy in this country, a storied franchise through Aetna, and industry-leading healthcare delivery assets,” Joyner told analysts last week on the company’s third quarter earnings call. “Our collection of businesses and omnichannel capabilities allows us to lead the industry forward with innovative and market-moving solutions.”

Joyner’s comments were his first made publicly since he was promoted less than a month ago to replace Karen S. Lynch, who stepped down. CVS Health has struggled to control costs in its Aetna health insurance businesses and its retail pharmacies have struggled, contributing to the company’s sagging share price.

Acknowledging Aetna’s poor performance, Joyner said improving the health insurance business would be a primary focus, but gave no indication a divestiture of any of the company’s three major businesses was in the works.

“CVS Health is made up of three attractive operating segments which are all critical to the healthcare system,” Joyner told analysts. “Two of those segments continue to perform consistent with our expectations. Our health services segment had another strong quarter while delivering on our commitments to lower drug costs to our clients and members. Our pharmacy and consumer wellness business continues to be the best-run national pharmacy in the country, increasing its share of scripts filled and delivering important community health access across the nation.”

Looking ahead, Joyner said the healthcare benefits business remains challenged “as a result of continued elevated levels of utilization.”

Medicare Advantage plans run by CVS as well as other health insurers have been struggling this year as seniors with a pent-up demand for healthcare services following the Covid-19 pandemic seek care and submit claims to their health insurers. Medicare Advantage plans contract with the federal government to provide traditional coverage available in traditional Medicare plus extra benefits and services to seniors, such as disease management and nurse help hotlines with some also offering vision, dental care, and wellness programs.

“While we are clearly underperforming at (health care benefits) today, this business has incredible earnings potential and is an essential element to our strategy,” Joyner said. We expect the elevated levels of utilization will continue to pressure our 2024 performance.”