Kroger revamps health membership program
Kroger is attempting to save customers money on their medications.
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., is relaunching Kroger Health Savings Club (KHSC), a membership program developed with the goal of providing members and their families with savings on commonly prescribed medications. The savings program aims to make medications more affordable and accessible for members and their families.
The KHSC membership program, based on the RxSense healthcare intelligence platform, includes individual and family options designed to allow members to save money on thousands of prescription medications. The program makes it possible for members to save on their medications even if those medications are not covered in the person's insurance plan.
Through the program, prices may be lower than Kroger's retail prices, and they may also be lower than the customers' copay or coinsurance benefit. The family membership permits enrolling up to six household members, including pets. KHSC members can use their savings club membership at pharmacies across all Kroger banner locations, excluding those located in the state of Washington.
“We are proud to announce the relaunch of the Kroger Health Savings Club, which will provide greater accessibility and affordability for prescription medications," said Colleen Lindholz, president, Kroger Health. "Our goal is to empower individuals to prioritize their health by relieving the financial burden of costly medications. We hope to continue expanding these services for the communities we serve in an effort to help our customers live healthier lives."
KHSC is not an insurance plan and cannot be combined with any federal, state or employee-funded program, such as Medicare, Medicaid or health insurance. Individuals can use KHSC or another discount program but cannot use both together at the same time. KHSC individual memberships are $36/year and family memberships are $72/year.
Kroger enters clinical trial space
Earlier this year, Kroger Health launched a network of clinical trial sites at select Kroger pharmacies and retail clinics. Kroger Health said it will collaborate with pharmaceutical sponsors, contract research organizations and health systems to conduct the clinical trials.
The announcement came with Kroger's first trial, which was related to colorectal cancer, already in active recruitment. Kroger Health has more than 2,200 pharmacies and 220 Little Clinic sites in 35 states serving more than 17 million customers. The company said 90% of the U.S. population lives within five miles of a pharmacy, and 51% of all Kroger stores are located in “socially vulnerable” areas — allowing Kroger Health to engage a wider range of the population in clinical trials.
Based in Cincinnati, Kroger operates 2,800 stores, including more than 100 stores in Southeast Texas and Louisiana, under a variety of banners across the U.S., including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith's, King Soopers, Fry's, QFC, City Market, Owen's, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker's, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Pick 'n Save, Metro Market, and Mariano's.