Walgreens to quit Anthem Rx for 2012

by Ray Martinez

Medicoverage.com has been notified by Anthem of an upcoming Walgreens provider network status update.  All current Anthem members will want to take note of this change when filling future prescriptions.

Walgreens, a pharmacy retailer, has announced its intent to exit the Express Scripts pharmacy provider network when its current contract expires on December 31, 2011.

What does this mean?
Unless an agreement is reached between Express Scripts and Walgreens, Anthem members will no longer be able to receive coverage for their prescription medications from Walgreens pharmacies, beginning January 1, 2012. This will also affect members who are using other pharmacies owned by Walgreens, most notably Duane Reade Pharmacy in the New York City metro region, Happy Harry’s Pharmacy in several northeastern states and OptionCare.

Access to other retail pharmacies within the pharmacy provider network will be available, as the Express Scripts pharmacy network contains more than 56,000 pharmacies without Walgreens.  On average, there is another network pharmacy within one-half mile of a Walgreens.
Should we receive notification of a pending agreement between Walgreens and Express Scripts, we’ll post up another update.