HHS partners with 38,000 retail pharmacy centers on Marketplace enrollment
WASHINGTON - As the deadline for signing up for coverage starting Jan. 1 approaches, the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday announced that HHS is collaborating with some of the nation’s largest pharmacies to connect consumers with health coverage and encourage enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
CVS Health, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, National Community Pharmacists Association, Rite Aid, Thrifty White Pharmacy and Walgreens Boots Alliance are partnering with HHS to help educate consumers on their choices.
“We are proud to have thousands of trusted pharmacists and pharmacies working to reach millions of consumers with the information and resources they need to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage this Open Enrollment,” stated HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell. “This strong participation is further indication that businesses are investing in Open Enrollment because they believe it is good for their business and for their customers.”
Collectively, the retail pharmacy partners represent more than 38,000 pharmacies across the country. In coordination with HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, pharmacies will have trained enrollment assisters available to work directly with customers in stores, and will also host local enrollment events and distribute educational resources about the health care options available through the Marketplace.
Dec. 15 is the deadline to enroll for health coverage beginning on Jan. 1. Financial assistance is available for eligible consumers, and more than seven in 10 returning Marketplace customers will be able to buy a plan for $75 or less a month in premiums after tax credits, HHS reported.
Among the activities taking place at pharmacies across the country:
CVS Health
In its third year helping customers access insurance information during Marketplace Open Enrollment, CVS Health is providing free insurance information in all of its 7,900 CVS/pharmacy locations, including educational resources and brochures from numerous health plans in both English and Spanish. In partnership with health insurers offering coverage through the Marketplace, CVS Health will also conduct more than 6,500 health insurance education events in its CVS/pharmacy locations between November 2015 and January 2016, providing customers the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with representatives from health plans available through the Marketplace to understand if they may qualify for financial assistance or discuss plan options.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy
Good Neighbor Pharmacy is helping to share information and resources about 2016 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment by promoting nationally with a social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. More than 4,500 pharmacies (Good Neighbor Pharmacy stores and all members of AmerisourceBergen’s PSAO, the Elevate Provider Network) received Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Kits. The kits include branded promotional and educational materials: bag stuffers, counter cards, posters/flyers and a special postcard for Good Neighbor Pharmacy members.
National Community Pharmacists Association
In its third year as an HHS partner, NCPA hosted a webinar led by Department officials for community pharmacists about the Health Insurance Marketplaces and Open Enrollment. A recording was then posted online for use by any of the more than 22,000 independent community pharmacies. In addition, NCPA has highlighted in its newsletter and social media platforms information about Open Enrollment and the resources available to community pharmacists.
Rite Aid
Rite Aid is providing informational brochures and in-store signage and in all locations and Rite Aid pharmacists and associates, including the company’s nearly 2,000 Wellness Ambassadors, are assisting customers with general questions and when appropriate, directing them to www.HealthCare.gov. Additionally, Rite Aid is helping to raise awareness on the ACA through its weekly circular, via email and through a dedicated section of www.riteaid.com.
Thrifty White Pharmacy
Thrifty White Pharmacy has been engaging their team members through a web-based training on the ACA and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Thrifty White Pharmacy has a direct link to the Marketplace on www.thriftywhite.com for customers, and a direct link on the company’s intranet portal for direct pharmacy access. Local pharmacists provide voice overs for radio spots in all markets served by Thrifty White Pharmacy. Thrifty White Pharmacy also displays videos about the Health Insurance Marketplace on all instore AdFlow television monitors along with Facebook and Twitter postings to help engage customers.
Walgreens
Walgreens is helping to educate consumers about the Health Insurance Marketplace through a number of channels, including digital media, in-store marketing efforts and participation in community events with trained community leaders and pharmacists. In select states, Walgreens is providing health resource panels on prescription bag receipts to help target cash-paying customers, as well as those within certain demographics who may be likely to be eligible for coverage through the Marketplace. Walgreens is also collaborating with select regional and national health plans to allow in-store brokers to assist with education and enrollment efforts.
Beginning Jan. 1, Walgreens stores chain-wide will again offer to provide medications to newly enrolled patients who have difficulty using new insurance coverage because they don’t have an ID card or number from their insurer.