CVS Caremark TrueCost®

The model that shaped today's standards

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When you can see more, you can do more

Three years ago, plan sponsors and consultants were asking questions traditional pricing models couldn't answer.

What am I really paying for?
How can I better predict what specific drugs will cost?

We responded by creating a pricing model where every drug has a clear cost and every rebate is visible.

Provide greater visibility

See true drug costs via acquisition-cost based pricing and drug-level rebate values to help you make smarter decisions to manage spend.

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Deliver financial predictability

Multi-year, net-cost guarantees for covered drugs across participating pharmacies protect your plan from market volatility.

On TrueCost, large price changes (>5%) decreased by 44%.^*

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Strengthen the value of the pharmacy benefit

By removing the incentive to shop around, members are more likely to stay on therapy, supporting better adherence and health outcomes. Under TrueCost, walkaway rates (when members leave their prescriptions at the pharmacy) decreased.

Specialty generics: 6.6% to 5.6%^*
Non-specialty brands: 8.8% to 8.4%^*

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Making rebate value easier to see

Process chart showing gross cost minus estimated rebate equals net-cost guarantees

A simpler path to
net-cost guarantees

Today, many of the principles that shaped TrueCost are now industry standards. For us, that’s not the finish line. It’s the starting point for what’s next.  

The next phase of the TrueCost evolution is creating a more direct connection between a drug, its rebate value and its estimated net cost, making pricing easier to understand and validate.

Trusted by millions. Ready when you are.

As more organizations seek greater visibility, TrueCost continues to help them move forward with confidence.

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Less aggregation.
More precision.

Read our new Insights Article to see how we’re raising the bar again by giving you a clearer picture of what you’re paying for.

TrueCost Insights Article