Express Scripts Collaborates with Walgreens to Create Value-Driven Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Pharmacy Network

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX) today announced that its two nationally available 2015 Express Scripts Medicare^® Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) will offer a preferred retail pharmacy network featuring Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (NASDAQ: WAG), helping America's seniors obtain more value, choice and clinical support  for their Medicare dollars.

Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in the Express Scripts Medicare Value or Choice plans for 2015 can save significantly – with $0 or $1 copayments, respectively, for Tier 1generic medications – when using one of the more than 27,000 pharmacies in the plans' preferred retail network. The network includes approximately 8,200 Walgreens pharmacies nationwide and more than 18,500 community pharmacies. The preferred pharmacy network also offers reduced copayments for Tier 2 generics, preferred and non-preferred brand name medications.

"Express Scripts Medicare Part D plans – which consistently earn high Star Ratings** from Medicare – offer seniors customized support to help them stay healthy and make the most of their benefit," said Mike Looney, vice president, Medicare prescription drug plans, Express Scripts. "We offer 24/7 access to Medicare advisors who can help enrollees save money on their medications and delay reaching the Coverage Gap, and pharmacists who are always available to answer questions about medications from the privacy of the beneficiary's home. Most importantly, enrollees have access to Express Scripts specialist pharmacists, who have expertise in the medications that treat conditions most common among seniors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and can offer personalized clinical support and care."

Enrollees in each of these plans also have access to the cost savings and convenience of the Express Scripts Home Delivery Pharmacy*, and access to a broader network of more than 67,000 retail pharmacies nationwide.

In addition to the savings available through the preferred retail pharmacy network, enrollees in the Express Scripts Medicare Choice plan benefit from a $0 deductible for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generics, and $0 copayment for 90-day supplies of Tier 1 generics from the Express Scripts Home Delivery Pharmacy. Enrollees in the Express Scripts Medicare Value plan pay a low monthly premium and just $3 for a 90-day supply of Tier 1 generics through Home Delivery.

"Together, Walgreens and Express Scripts have extensive experience serving the health care needs of Medicare beneficiaries, and this is another way we can help them get the most value from their Part D plan," said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness. "By serving as a preferred network provider, Walgreens can offer plan members greater access to pharmacy services, cost savings opportunities and personalized care from our more than 27,000 pharmacists."

Enrollment for the 2015 plan year begins October 15, 2014, and ends December 7, 2014 with coverage beginning on January 1, 2015. Both the Choice and Value plans offer coverage for more than 3,000 medications and are offered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

To learn more about the Express Scripts Medicare plan options and sign up for a free open enrollment email reminder, visit http://www.Express-ScriptsMedicare.com/info or call toll-free 1-866-544-3794. TTY users should call 1-800-716-3231.

Disclaimers

Express Scripts Medicare ^® (PDP) is a prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Express Scripts depends on contract renewal.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.

Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.

* Other pharmacies are available in our network.

** Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Medicare Star Ratings for plans can be found at http://www.medicare.gov.

About Express Scripts

Express Scripts manages more than a billion prescriptions each year for tens of millions of patients. On behalf of our clients – employers, health plans, unions and government health programs – we make the use of prescription drugs safer and more affordable. Express Scripts uniquely combines three capabilities – behavioral sciences, clinical specialization and actionable data — to create Health Decision Science^SM, our innovative approach to help individuals make the best drug choices, pharmacy choices and health choices. Better decisions mean healthier outcomes.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Express Scripts provides integrated pharmacy-benefit management services, including network-pharmacy claims processing, home delivery, specialty benefit management, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization review, formulary management, and medical and drug data analysis services. The company also distributes a full range of biopharmaceutical products and provides extensive cost-management and patient-care services.

For more information, visit Lab.Express-Scripts.com or follow @ExpressScripts on Twitter.

Media Contact:  

Jennifer Luddy    
Express Scripts 
201-269-6402     
[email protected]

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