Table of Contents
MINNETONKA, Minn. — UnitedHealthcare has introduced a new low-premium Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in collaboration with Walgreens.
The health insurance giant said Monday that the new AARP MedicareRx Walgreens plan is targeted at seniors who seek the drug benefit coverage of Part D and the accessibility of filling prescriptions and shopping at Walgreens or Duane Reade, the plan’s preferred retail pharmacy chains.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to helping people access the medications they need, while providing the pharmacy services and support they depend on, at affordable prices,” Brad Fluegel, senior vice president and chief health care commercial market development officer at Walgreens, said in a statement. “Prescription drug costs continue to be a concern for many Medicare beneficiaries. By working closely with UnitedHealthcare and other business partners, we’re developing innovative solutions to meet the needs of patients.”
The AARP MedicareRx Walgreens plan offers a $22.50 premium, $0 co-payments for tier 1 medications and a $0 deductible for tier 1 and 2 medications purchased at Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies, UnitedHealthcare said.
More than 40 tier 1 medications can be purchased via the plan for a $0 co-pay at Walgreens pharmacies, including nine of the 10 generic drugs most commonly used by UnitedHealthcare’s Part D members for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, according to the insurer. The company added that nearly 80% of all prescriptions filled in 2016 by its Part D members are included on tier 1 or 2 of the AARP MedicareRx Walgreens plan formulary and will be available at Walgreens for a $0 to $3 co-pay in 2017.
In addition, AARP MedicareRx Walgreens plan members can fill 90-day prescriptions of tier 1 medications for a $0 co-pay through OptumRx, UnitedHealthcare’s preferred home delivery pharmacy, or they can refill 90-day scripts at Walgreens pharmacies for the same co-pay as for home delivery.
UnitedHealthcare noted that the $22.50 premium makes AARP MedicareRx Walgreens one of the lowest-cost Part D plans available nationwide in 2017.
“The AARP MedicareRx Walgreens plan is a great choice for people seeking affordable coverage and convenient access to their medications at more than 8,000 Walgreens locations nationwide, where they can save money on their co-pays, or through home delivery from OptumRx,” stated Kent Monical, senior vice president of UnitedHealthcare’s Part D plans.
