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Walgreens Expands Online Acceptance of Medicare Advantage Benefits

Walgreens has announced that it is the first community pharmacy to allow a wide range of Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits to be used online. This new offering is available through the Walgreens website as well as the Walgreens app. Eligible members can now browse through a catalog of approximately 1,700 Shop Eligible Products on Walgreens’ digital platforms.

This expansion of benefits to online shopping complements the existing in-store option that has been available since 2019. The online accessibility caters to consumers with various payment preferences, making it more convenient for them to utilize their Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits.

In addition to the online shopping feature, Walgreens is also providing a range of digital health and wellbeing services. These include 30-minute pickup and 1-hour delivery for retail products, same-day prescription delivery, Walgreens Rx Savings Finder, Walgreens Virtual Healthcare, and Seniors Day, which is celebrated on the first Tuesday of every month.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help

The AI legalese decoder tool can assist consumers in understanding the legal language associated with Medicare Advantage benefits when browsing through eligible products on Walgreens.com or the Walgreens app. By utilizing this tool, members can easily decipher complex terms and conditions related to their benefits, ensuring a smooth shopping experience.

Moreover, the AI legalese decoder can help members identify common eligible OTC items across multiple plans, making it simpler for them to make informed purchasing decisions. This tool streamlines the process of inputting Medicare Advantage card numbers for payment, ensuring that eligible OTC products are paid for using available card funds without any confusion.

Impact of the New Offering

With the new offering, members can conveniently explore eligible products based on their specific plan on Walgreens.com and the Walgreens app. By accessing a dedicated OTC landing page, members can view a list of eligible items associated with their plan, as well as common eligible OTC items available across different plans.

Furthermore, members can complete purchases of OTC-eligible items by entering their Medicare Advantage card numbers as the primary form of payment. The payment for eligible OTC products will be deducted from their card funds. For items outside of their OTC supplemental benefits, members can use an alternative form of payment.

Participating in Walgreens Seniors Day allows patients aged 55 and older, along with their caregivers, to enjoy a 20% discount on eligible regular-priced merchandise on the first Tuesday of each month. Moreover, the pickup and delivery options include one-hour and 24-hour same-day delivery for added convenience.

The Larger Trend

In January, Walgreens Boots Alliance reached a settlement with Humana, agreeing to pay $360 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging overpricing of prescription drug reimbursements. The lawsuit, initiated by Humana in February 2022, accused Walgreens of inflating prescription drug prices over an extended period.

Subsequently, Walgreens announced cost-cutting measures, including the closure of around 60 VillageMD clinics deemed underperforming. Additionally, the company will be exiting five markets due to weaker-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter.

Amidst these developments, Walgreens reported soft revenue projections for the year, citing fiscal underperformance in 2023. The company incurred operating losses of $450 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $822 million in the same period the previous year.

As part of a $1 billion cost-reduction initiative, Walgreens also laid off 267 corporate employees, which accounts for 5% of its workforce. These moves were announced in November as the company sought to streamline operations and improve financial performance.

On the Record

“As a health and wellbeing destination for everyone, Walgreens is always looking for ways to enhance the customer experience with solutions for every shopper,” said Tracey D. Brown, EVP, president, Walgreens Retail, and chief customer officer. “Accepting Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits online and on the Walgreens app improves shopping solutions for those who are homebound, have limited mobility, or are simply short on time.”

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News. Email: [email protected] Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.

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