INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, Inc. today announced a new strategic relationship with Walgreen Co. (Walgreens) to provide pharmacy services to Medicare Part D beneficiaries nationwide. The relationship is intended to address the needs of Medicare beneficiaries through proactive outreach, education and enrollment information. Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS) will also be provided for qualified enrollees through Walgreens community retail pharmacies.
“Through its variety of Medicare plans and programs, WellPoint is uniquely positioned to help seniors take advantage of the new Medicare Part D benefit program,” said Joan Herman, president and CEO, Specialty, Senior and State Sponsored Business, WellPoint. “Our plans offer choice, convenience, and savings options that are complemented by Walgreens national presence and its clinical capabilities.”
WellPoint recently announced that it will offer Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, MedicareRx plans, in all 50 states through its affiliated companies. WellPoint and Walgreens will collaborate to market WellPoint’s Medicare Part D products, reaching over 65 million customers through:
* Educating beneficiaries about their options via in-store marketing materials at Walgreens nearly 5,000 stores nationwide * Increasing awareness of and promoting WellPoint’s new Medicare Part D plans/solutions through community outreach programs * Providing Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS) through Walgreens community retail pharmacies for qualified Medicare Part D enrollees in an effort to promote quality health care
“Both of our organizations are patient-focused and ready to assist the senior patients who enroll in any of WellPoint’s programs,” said Don Huonker, vice president of Pharmacy Services for Walgreens.
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint, Inc. is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through HealthLink and UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.
Walgreen Co.
Walgreen Co. is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2005 sales of $42.2 billion. The company operates 4,962 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Walgreens also provides additional services to pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives (a pharmacy benefits manager), Walgreens Mail Service, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy and Walgreens Home Care.
WellPoint, Inc.
CONTACT: Media - Kellie Bernell of WellPoint, +1-805-557-6755, or MichaelPolzin of Walgreens, +1-847-914-2925; or Investor Relations - Tami Durlefor WellPoint, +1-317-488-6390
Web site: http://www.wellpoint.com/
