CVS Health supports communities as major winter storm approaches
Rhea-AI Summary
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is activating emergency measures ahead of a major winter storm expected to affect much of the U.S. over the next few days. The company is urging pharmacy patients to refill and pick up prescriptions and is supplying stores with extra emergency items such as water, batteries and first aid products.
CVS Caremark is enabling one-time emergency 10-day refills where states have declared emergencies. CVS Specialty and Aetna clinical teams will contact impacted patients and members to arrange alternate deliveries and expanded access to emergency care and mental health support. Store closures will follow local orders and phone lines will be rerouted as needed.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CVS gained 0.40%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
CVS was up 1.46% pre-release. Peers were mixed: CI +2.05%, ELV +0.97%, MOH +2.76%, CNC +0.60%, while HUM declined 1.68%, pointing to stock-specific factors rather than a unified sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | +2.6% | Announced Feb 10, 2026 call on Q4 and full-year 2025 results. |
| Jan 14 | Community health grant | Positive | -1.7% | $2.6M grant to expand maternal diabetes program in NYC communities. |
| Jan 09 | Earnings call update | Neutral | -0.4% | Set Feb 11, 2026 webcast for Q4 and full-year 2025 results. |
| Jan 06 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +0.3% | Board approved $0.665 per-share quarterly dividend payable Feb 2, 2026. |
| Dec 11 | Vaccine access expansion | Positive | +2.4% | Expanded MMR vaccine availability at 200+ sites amid measles outbreak. |
Recent community/health access announcements and dividend news often saw modest single-day moves, with both aligned and divergent reactions.
Over the past months, CVS Health issued diverse updates, including a $0.665 quarterly dividend (payable Feb 2, 2026) and a $2.6 million foundation grant supporting maternal diabetes care. It also scheduled multiple earnings calls for early February 2026 and expanded vaccine access during a South Carolina measles outbreak. Today’s storm-preparedness announcement continues the theme of operational readiness and community support highlighted in prior public-health oriented updates.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details CVS Health’s preparations to maintain access to prescriptions, specialty medications, and Aetna health benefits as a major winter storm approached. Operational steps include emergency 10-day refills, alternate delivery for specialty drugs, and broadened mental health and crisis support via Aetna’s Resources For Living program. Investors may track how such responses reinforce CVS’s role in community health and operational resilience during regional disruptions.
Key Terms
pharmacy benefit manager financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Pharmacy patients encouraged to pick up prescriptions before conditions deteriorate
In advance of the approaching winter weather, CVS Health is implementing proactive measures across its businesses to ensure continuity of care:
- CVS Pharmacy is reaching out to its patients by text message, email and phone to remind them to refill and pick up their prescriptions. Stores are also receiving additional supplies of emergency items such as water, batteries and first aid products.
- CVS Caremark, the company's pharmacy benefit manager, is enabling pharmacy claims for one-time emergency refills of a 10-day supply of medication for plan members in states that have declared states of emergency.
- CVS Specialty patients who live within the emergency area and are taking specialty medications will be contacted to discuss alternate delivery arrangements, if needed.
- Aetna's clinical response teams have expanded their engagement with Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial members in potentially impacted areas to ensure member safety and access to emergency services.
- Aetna members affected by this winter storm can also seek emergency care anywhere, as needed. Aetna will monitor the impact the storm has on its network doctors, hospitals and other health care providers and will modify its policies as necessary for providers and members to enable access to care. Providers and members can contact customer service with any questions.
- Additionally, Aetna is liberalizing its Resources For Living (RFL) services to ensure individuals and organizations have access to care regardless of whether it is part of their existing benefits. Liberalized services include in-the-moment mental health phone support, a dedicated crisis support website and community resource information. Individuals and organizations who do not have RFL can call 1-833-327-AETNA, and those with RFL should contact their designated RFL number.
- CVS Health is also reaching out to colleagues in impacted areas to ensure their safety and offer crisis support. Information about community resources and emotional support services is available through the company's employee assistance program.
CVS Pharmacy stores comply with all local evacuation orders. If there are mandatory closures, impacted stores will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. If a store is closed for more than one day, the pharmacy's phone lines will be rerouted to a nearby open CVS Pharmacy to help patients access their prescriptions. Patients with a scheduled vaccination will be notified of any changes to their appointment by email or text message. The latest information regarding store status can be found using the Store Locator tool on CVS.com.
CVS Health also recommends the following tips for ensuring prescription needs are met for those potentially impacted by winter weather and resulting power outages:
- Follow local evacuation orders. Get to a safe location first and refill your medications at the nearest pharmacy. This allows you to avoid potentially long lines at your local pharmacy, and you won't need to needlessly delay your evacuation.
- Take a waterproof bag with your current medication – even if the bottle is empty. The information on the prescription label will help pharmacy staff with refill requests. Heat, humidity and sunlight can degrade the effectiveness of medicine, so try to protect it from extreme weather conditions.
- Keep a written record of your current prescriptions on hand. If you are taking several prescription drugs, it's an especially good idea to keep a record of your current medications, dosage and doctor's contact information.
CVS Health remains dedicated to supporting its local communities and is in contact with disaster relief organizations to help communities respond to and recover from the storm.
Storm preparation b-roll and soundbites from a CVS pharmacist are available for download on CVSHealth.com.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company's integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.
Media contact
Amy Thibault
401-318-2865
Amy.Thibault@CVSHealth.com
Roslyn Guarino
781-974-3962
Roslyn.Guarino@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health
FAQ
What has CVS (NYSE: CVS) announced for patients ahead of the January 23, 2026 winter storm?
How is CVS Caremark handling prescription refills during the storm for CVS (CVS) plan members?
What should CVS Specialty patients on specialty medications expect during the storm?
How is Aetna supporting members affected by the winter storm announced January 23, 2026?
Where can I find current CVS Pharmacy store status and appointment changes during the storm?
