COVID-19
We know you may have questions. We're here for you.
We know you may have questions. We're here for you.
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, we understand that you may have questions or concerns. We are closely monitoring the situation, and because things are rapidly changing, we want to keep you informed and update you promptly of any new developments.
CVS Health® is prepared to play a prominent role in administering COVID-19 vaccinations when available. Learn more at CDC.gov.
We want to make sure we can provide you with the latest information and updates — If you would like to receive them without having to return to this page, please provide your email address and, if possible, your mobile phone number by registering at Caremark.com so you can receive updates by email and/or text message. You can also return to this page for updates at any time.
Because pharmacies are considered essential, they are not subject to the same local or state guidelines as non-essential businesses to close or reduce hours. Please note: Pharmacy store hours may be adjusted to restock and sanitize in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, so check your pharmacy’s website for current hours of operation.
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending that people avoid close contact with others, especially those at high risk, we understand that you may not want or be able to visit the pharmacy to pick up your prescription medications. Home delivery is a good option to ensure you have the medications you need.
Get 90-day supplies delivered by mail
You can have your prescriptions delivered to your home or wherever you need them by CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy® in 90-day supplies at no extra cost. To get started for you or a family member, you can choose one of the following options:
OPTION 1: Ask your doctor to send an electronic prescription (eRx) to CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy. It needs to be a prescription for a 90-day supply of your maintenance medication.
OPTION 2: Sign in or register at Caremark.com. Select Prescriptions from the navigation bar. From the drop-down menu, select Start Rx Delivery by Mail. Search for your drug name and strength, add to your cart by selecting Request a New Prescription, and complete your order.
Get 1- to 2-day free Rx home delivery from CVS Pharmacy®
CVS Pharmacy is waiving charges for home delivery of eligible maintenance and acute prescription medications. Free 1- to 2-day Rx home delivery via USPS has been extended through December 31, 2020. Visit CVS.com to set up free 1- to 2-day Rx home delivery.
Ask your pharmacy about home delivery options
Many retail pharmacies are offering home delivery service. Check with your pharmacy to find out if they offer home delivery and whether there are delivery fees.
Check your current medication supply to make sure you have enough on hand. As always, we encourage you to refill your prescription on time.
If you need an early refill, call your pharmacy and ask if you're eligible to refill your prescription early due to COVID-19.
We are closely monitoring the global pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and working with our suppliers to ensure we can continue filling prescriptions for pharmacy patients and plan members. We are actively managing our supply to ensure our ability to continue to fill prescriptions in our retail, mail and specialty pharmacies.
We’re also balancing the growing interest in off-label use of certain prescription medications to treat COVID-19 pneumonia with the ongoing needs of patients and members who are prescribed these drugs to help manage chronic conditions such as lupus, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Our goal is to limit stockpiling of medication that could result in future shortages and gaps in care.
Our retail pharmacies are following dispensing guidelines regarding the use of these medications for COVID-19 that have been established in certain states. In states with no guidelines, our pharmacies are limiting the dispensing for COVID-19 treatment to a 10-day supply with no refills.
With consent of plan sponsors, CVS Caremark is setting appropriate coverage limits on the quantity of these medications for potential use in treating COVID-19. Plan members who already take these medications for approved uses will be able to bypass the new quantity limits.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, our goal is to help ensure members have timely, safe access to their medications.
At this time, prescription copays are not being waived. However, if you are facing financial challenges, you may qualify for a copay assistance program.
Some of the companies that manufacture medications offer programs to help patients pay for their medications. The programs listed below are not affiliated with CVS Caremark. We are providing this list to help you find financial assistance if you need it.
Please note: If you use one of these programs, it is possible that the amount you pay out-of-pocket may not be applied to your plan’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
CVS Caremark does not operate the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by CVS Caremark.
If you are being asked to shelter in place and you have a prescription to fill, we strongly encourage you to choose home delivery. Home delivery is available at no extra cost through CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmac and CVS Pharmacy. Check with your pharmacy to see if they are offering no-cost home delivery. Shelter-in-place orders do not typically apply to travel for essential services, such as going to the pharmacy to pick up medications. Check with your state or local government website for shelter-in-place details. Check with your pharmacy for any changes to hours of operation.
If you are filling your prescription at CVS Pharmacy and can’t wait one to two days for delivery, or if your medication can’t be delivered by mail (such as controlled substances and medications that require refrigeration), please use the drive-thru. Please note: Depending on the medication, you may be asked to show ID.
There is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and how it spreads. Coronaviruses are thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Although the virus can survive for a short period on some surfaces, it is unlikely to be spread from domestic or international mail, products or packaging. However, it may be possible that people can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. For more information, please check the CDC website.
Our shipping carriers follow CDC guidelines to protect their employees and recipients of our orders, and this includes best practices for cleaning, social distancing and sanitizing. Our shipping suppliers have largely relaxed the requirement for a physical signature for orders that would normally require one. We are sourcing additional personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks for our staff, and training staff on its proper and effective use. We regularly sanitize the bins that transport orders throughout pharmacy processes.
At this time, we do not foresee any disruptions to the supply chain as a result of COVID-19 that would affect your ability to fill prescriptions.
Check your current medication supply to make sure you have enough on hand. As always, we encourage you to refill your prescriptions on time.
For information on the status of your shipment and any service alerts, check with the carrier:
Yes, CVS Specialty® patients can have their medications delivered to their homes with no delivery charge. If you would like your specialty medications delivered to your home, you will need to change your delivery preference. To get started, sign in to CVSspecialty.com and change your delivery preference.
Our national delivery partners are also working to implement new policies for deliveries requiring signatures, including for shipped medications, which can help plan members adhere to recommended social distancing practices and avoid potential exposure to the virus.
For example, in lieu of obtaining actual signatures, UPS will now enter a code and the name of the recipient so that the member does not have to physically sign via the UPS hand-held device, which can help minimize contact.
In the United States, there is currently no authorized or approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19. For more information about vaccinations, please see the CDC website.
As announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CVS Health has entered into a contract with the CDC to be one of the official COVID-19 Vaccination Program Providers. As a result, once a COVID-19 vaccine is approved and available, the United States Government will allocate a supply of the publicly funded vaccine available to CVS Health to provide onsite vaccination clinic services to long-term care facilities and in our retail locations.
Common signs of infection include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Visit the CDC website for more information about symptoms and how to protect yourself and others.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you:
Many states, counties, cities and countries have issued “stay at home” or “social distancing” orders. To help protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19, it is important to follow these orders and limit the amount of time spent outside the home and around other people.
COVID-19 is thought to spread primarily though human-to-human contact via respiratory droplets that are produced when a person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. Infected droplets may be inhaled or land on or in the noses or mouths of people nearby, spreading the disease.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Similarly, contracting the disease from an infected animal or pet is considered low risk.
COVID-19 is spreading very easily, more efficiently than the flu. For this reason, it is critical to practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands properly and disinfect frequently used surfaces. For more information about the transmission of COVID-19, please see the CDC website.
Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. However, it is important to treat symptoms and limit the chances of infecting others. If you suspect you may have, or may have been exposed to, COVID-19 stay at home and reach out to a local health care provider.
For additional guidance on what to do if you or someone you know is sick, visit the CDC website.
If you have questions about the medication you’re taking, always ask your doctor or other qualified health providers for advice. Don’t stop taking your medication without asking your doctor first.
According to the CDC, if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 , it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease, including:
No, but since there is no treatment for COVID‐19, getting available immunizations for other lung infections like flu, pneumonia and whooping cough is important. This is especially important for those who have weakened immune systems or who may have a more serious illness.
The CDC recommends that anyone: who has symptoms of COVID-19; who has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19; or who lives in or has recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, should contact their health care provider and be tested.
For more information about COVID-19 testing, please see the CDC website.
Patients who have concerns that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider.
CVS Health has established more than 4,000 CVS Pharmacy locations across the country offering COVID-19 testing. For more information on test site locations in a specific state, please visit CVS.com.
Patients must register in advance at CVS.com to schedule an appointment. Patients will need to pre-register, provide their insurance information as appropriate and verify their eligibility for testing. Once they have registered, the patient will be provided with an appointment window for that same day or up to two days out.
You can find more information on COVID-19 at:
Get contactless delivery direct to your doorstep or wherever you need it.
Get contactless delivery direct to your doorstep or wherever you need it.