Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan gets first Medicare beneficiary applicant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana and Wal-Mart Stores on Monday announced that Mary Lee Reinscheld became the first Medicare beneficiary to sign up for the new Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan at one of the Humana informational kiosks available in approximately 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide.

Reinscheld signed her Humana application at Walmart store No. 1170 here as the annual enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries, including seniors and people with disabilities, got under way.

Humana's new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, co-branded with Walmart, offers savings on monthly plan premiums and prescription medicine co-payments and cost-shares. The new plan features one nationwide monthly plan premium of $14.80. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan offers the lowest monthly nationwide premium for a stand-alone Part D plan in all 50 states and Washington. The plan can save a typical member an estimated average of more than $450 in 2011 through low premiums, co-payments and cost-shares, the companies calculated.

"As the world's largest retailer, Walmart is uniquely positioned to help drive down the costs associated with prescription medications," stated John Agwunobi, president of Walmart's Health and Wellness division. "Our participation in this plan is another example of Walmart's ongoing commitment to helping customers save money and live better, especially when it comes to providing affordable health care."