WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has entered into new clinical affiliations with Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and with Tucson Medical Center in Tucson and its accountable care organization, Arizona Connected Care.

These affiliations are intended to enhance access to high-quality, affordable health care services for patients. Through these clinical affiliations, CVS Health will provide prescription and visit information to the participating providers through the integration of secured electronic health record (EHR) systems.

In addition, patients will continue to have access to clinical support, medication counseling, chronic disease monitoring and wellness programs at CVS/pharmacy stores and MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health.

“We are pleased to work with these health care providers to develop collaborative programs that enhance access to patient care, improve health outcomes and lower health care costs in the communities they serve,” said Dr. Troyen Brennan, chief medical officer at CVS Health. “By integrating our electronic health records and information systems, we will collectively have a more comprehensive view of our patients, which can aid in health care decision making and help ensure that patients adhere to important medications for chronic diseases.”

Health care providers at the participating affiliates will receive data on interventions conducted by CVS pharmacists to improve patients’ medication adherence. Physicians affiliated with the participating medical centers will collaborate with MinuteClinic nurse practitioners to work closely on joint clinical programs and care coordination activities.

If more comprehensive care is needed, patients can follow up with their primary care provider and have access to the services at the medical center as appropriate. For those patients who do not have regular access to health care, MinuteClinic provides information to help patients in finding a primary care physician and a greater opportunity for continuity of health care services.

MinuteClinic, CVS/pharmacy and the participating medical centers will begin to work toward integrating EHR systems to streamline and enhance communication. This integration will include the electronic sharing of messages and alerts from CVS/pharmacy to the affiliates’ physicians regarding medication nonadherence issues.