Walgreens Joins Preferred Networks of Four Medicare Part D Plan Sponsors

Coventry, Humana, SmartD Rx and UnitedHealthcare preferred networks designed to generate costs savings on prescription drugs, other benefits

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) set to begin Oct. 15, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) today announced it will be a part of preferred pharmacy networks of four national Medicare Part D plan sponsors – Coventry, Humana Inc., SmartD Rx and UnitedHealthcare. The preferred networks for the 2013 Part D plans offered by these sponsors are designed to deliver cost savings for Medicare beneficiaries, keeping Part D plans affordable by offering lower co-pays on prescription drug purchases.

“There are changes to Medicare each year and important information beneficiaries need to know, whether they’re selecting a plan for the first time or evaluating if their current plan is still the best option.”

Walgreens has expanded its preferred network relationships for the upcoming enrollment period, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, to offer more options for beneficiaries that optimize convenient locations and services, plan benefits and savings.

“Having Walgreens as a preferred network provider offers a number of benefits for plan members, including greater access to pharmacy services and cost savings on prescription drugs. With the Medicare population growing rapidly each day, more and more people 65 and older are seeking personalized care from our community pharmacists to help them get, stay and live well,” said Suzanne Hansen, Walgreens group vice president of pharmacy operations. “There are changes to Medicare each year and important information beneficiaries need to know, whether they’re selecting a plan for the first time or evaluating if their current plan is still the best option.”

In addition to participating in the preferred networks, Walgreens will also be in the network of hundreds of other Medicare prescription drug plans for 2013.

About Walgreens

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 7,944 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.