Walgreens and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Launch Joint Consumer Education Campaign in Preparation for New Health Insurance Marketplace

PRESS RELEASE

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 10, 2013 - Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) today launched a national campaign to educate consumers about the new health care reform law and provide them with key information on how to access coverage and understand other changes they may experience as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The campaign centers on a new website, LearnAboutReform.com, which offers consumers helpful information about the new ways they will be able to purchase health insurance and the new benefits available to them. Informational brochures will also be offered to consumers at nearly all Walgreens drugstores across the country.

The educational collaboration between two trusted leaders in health and wellness means consumers will have easy access to the information they need to understand the changing health care landscape, right in their own neighborhoods.

“The Affordable Care Act will expand access to health insurance for millions of Americans and broaden health benefits, but many Americans have had little experience purchasing health coverage and are confused about what the law means to them,” said Maureen Sullivan, BCBSA senior vice president of strategic services and chief strategy officer. “Blue Plans have been working hard to help consumers navigate this new environment and the coverage options that are available to them. Our partnership with Walgreens is another example of our commitment to ensuring that all Americans have the tools they need to understand these changes and access affordable health insurance coverage that meets their needs.”

“Walgreens is a trusted community resource for health and wellness information, and through this collaboration we hope the millions of Americans who will be entering the marketplace in October are more informed and better prepared,” said Brad Fluegel, Walgreens senior vice president and chief strategy officer. “There’s a lot of confusion, a lot of questions and it’ll take a tremendous, collaborative effort to make sure people have the information they need to make informed choices.”

The Affordable Care Act expands access to insurance for millions of Americans who currently lack coverage, providing new protections for American families as well as new options and requirements for employers. It also changes how individuals and some small businesses purchase coverage. The law is complex, and these changes can be a lot to absorb for consumers. This educational campaign will help them understand their options.

LearnAboutReform.com will serve as a comprehensive guide to the law so that consumers can make informed health care choices this fall. Website features include:

• Easy-to-understand explanations of what the new law means for consumers
• Frequently asked questions about eligibility for federal financial assistance, the individual mandate and penalties for not purchasing insurance
• An explanation of the enrollment process, and how the new Health Insurance Marketplace or “exchanges” will work
• Interactive links to a glossary of terms related to health care reform

The campaign also will include informational brochures and signage in Walgreens locations nationwide to encourage consumers to learn about reform and the new exchanges.