Article
Walgreens Extends Through April 15 Offer to Provide Up to 30-Day Prescription Supply at No Upfront Cost for Public Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollees Awaiting Plan Identification Information
PRESS RELEASE
DEERFIELD, Ill., February 10, 2014 - Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) today announced it is extending through April 15 its program to provide medications to newly insured Americans enrolled under the Affordable Care Act, who have difficulty using their new insurance coverage because they haven't received a plan identification number yet from their insurer. Walgreens will continue to assist recently enrolled individuals by providing up to one month of a traditional1, brand or generic medication at no upfront cost upon verification of eligibility.
Individuals enrolled ahead of the March 31 public health insurance marketplace open enrollment deadline can bring confirmation of their enrollment to any Walgreens pharmacy, or the pharmacy staff can check to verify eligibility. Walgreens encourages public marketplace enrolled patients to confirm coverage with their insurance company and bring to the pharmacy current benefit information. With that benefit information, Walgreens pharmacy staff can individually review patient benefits and work with the patient’s insurance company directly to confirm benefit eligibility. The program was first announced in December to help achieve the smoothest possible transition for those whose insurance coverage, as a result of the Affordable Care Act, began on Jan. 1.
“We’re committed to helping those who’ve signed up for coverage through state and federal marketplaces access their medication without interruption, and anticipate a growing need leading up to, and following the March 31 enrollment deadline,” said Kermit Crawford, president of pharmacy, health and wellness for Walgreens. “We’ll continue to support the newly insured and are also continuing our efforts to help simplify the enrollment process for those in our communities who may still be in need of insurance coverage.”
Working with GoHealth, Walgreens launched a nationwide initiative in October to assist customers considering the new health insurance marketplaces. Through the GoHealth Marketplace, those who are still considering insurance options available through the Affordable Care Act legislation have access to one-on-one support from a licensed GoHealth advisor who can help them shop and compare health insurance plans, enroll and find other important tools and information. Consumers can access the GoHealth Marketplace online at www.walgreens.com/healthcarereform or via phone at 855-487-6969.
The consumer education initiative is one of several measures Walgreens has taken to ease health reform transition.
Walgreens remains in frequent conversation with United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the White House to raise any common issues that may arise as customers become enrolled and patients seek access to needed medications.
1 Traditional prescription excludes complex therapy medications.
