Educating seniors about Affordable Care

Walmart is among a group of pharmacy retailers working on an educational initiative with the U.S. department of Health and Human Services.



As part of a partnership with HHS, Walmart and Sam’s Club are providing information online to help educate Medicare recipients about the range of tax-payer funded “free” services available to them under the Affordable Care Act.



In addition to Walmart, CVS Caremark, Walgreens, Thrifty White are also partners in providing Medicare beneficiaries a range of educational materials on newly available preventive services, as well as savings on prescription drug spending in the donut hole coverage gap.



HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced partnership on Wednesday at a CVS stores in Jacksonville, Fla., where she received a free blood pressure screening.



“Our pharmacy partners are helping their customers make informed health care decisions,” said Sebelius said. “These partnerships will help people with Medicare learn more about new preventive services such as mammograms, and the new annual wellness visit that are available at no charge for everyone with Medicare.”



While Walmart and Sam’s are relying on their online capabilities, CVS is also using online assets and distributing such materials as brochures and register receipts at its more than 7,300 stores and 600 MinuteClinic locations. Walgreens is distributing information in nearly 8,000 pharmacies and over 350 Take Care Clinic locations, as well as using in-store announcements and providing this information as part of its Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour with AARP. Thrifty White Pharmacy is providing information on preventive services through its 85 locations throughout the Midwest.