CAMP HILL, Pa. and BOSTON, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- American Well™ announced today that it has signed an agreement to bring American Well's Online Care services to select Rite Aid patients in select Rite Aid stores. Rite Aid said it plans to test the new pharmacy service that will enable patients to access live, interactive online consultations with Rite Aid pharmacists from home and from private consultation rooms in a select number of Rite Aid pharmacies.  Rite Aid is the first drugstore chain in the nation set to bring American Well's live, online pharmacy consultations to patients. Details of the agreement were not disclosed.  

American Well's Online Care is an innovative way to assist in addressing the national challenge of making sure patients take medication correctly and as prescribed. According to research released by the New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI) last year, patients who do not take their medications as prescribed by their doctors cost the U.S. health care system an estimated $290 billion in avoidable medical spending every year.(1)

"Rite Aid is committed to delivering innovative services to our patients as part of our mission to help them live healthier, happier lives," said Robert Thompson, Rite Aid executive vice president of Pharmacy. "The Online Care service offers patients another convenient way to engage with their Rite Aid pharmacist about their prescribed medication therapies and helps them understand how taking medication correctly and as prescribed can benefit their overall health."  

Patients will be able to initiate consultations from the convenience of their home or in select stores, using the Web or a regular phone. During each consultation, Rite Aid pharmacists will be able to review the patient's history, speak with and see the patient and provide medication consultations and advice. The system will automatically compile a full record of each conversation when completed, supporting care continuity.

"We see the evolution of Online Care services spreading throughout the healthcare industry," said Danielle Russella, executive vice president, Customer Solutions of American Well Inc. "With this partnership, Rite Aid will pioneer the introduction of on-demand access to pharmacists through technology."

About American Well

American Well™ has created an Online Care system that allows consumers to connect with physicians immediately, whenever they have a health need, from their homes or offices. The innovation uses advanced Web-based technologies and telephony to remove traditional barriers to healthcare access, including insurance coverage, geography, mobility and time constraints. American Well is committed to supporting health plans in meeting consumer and employer demand for affordable, efficient and immediate access to quality care. For more information, please visit www.americanwell.com.

About Rite Aid

Rite Aid is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,800 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2010 annual sales of more than $25.7 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid's Web site at www.riteaid.com.

(1) Source: http://www.nehi.net/news/press_releases/110/nehi_research_shows_patient_medication_nonadherence_costs_health_care_system_290_billion_annually

SOURCE American Well

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