CVS launches new telehealth service on smartphones

CVS Health is rolling out MinuteClinic Video Visits, a new telehealth service that provices patients with minor illnesses and injuries access to healthcare services at any time from their mobile device.

The announcement comes as the healthcare system gains more momentum toward boosting telehealth. Last month, the FCC announced a $100 million telehealth care pilot aimed at connecting rural and low-income Americans with healthcare services. Around the same time, CMS proposed paying for virtual care in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in 2019.

The initiative works through Teladoc, a publicly-traded virtual care company, and patients can access receive telehealth care through a video visit through the CVS...