UnitedHealthcare to open in-store centers at Walgreens

Another health insurance giant is expanding into the retail sector.

Nearly a year after CVS bought Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, the health benefits business of UnitedHealth Group, is partnering with Walgreens to open UnitedHealthcare Medicare “services centers” in Walgreens stores. The company will open 14 Medicare centers in Walgreens stores in January as part of the multiyear agreement. The centers will open at stores in the Las Vegas, Phoenix, Cleveland, Denver and Memphis markets. 

At the centers, Walgreens customers will be able learn more about Medicare, meet with service advocates to discuss their UnitedHealthcare plan benefits and enroll in plans. Members of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage will also be able to make an appointment for an in-store annual wellness visit at the Medicare services center in Walgreens through UnitedHealthcare’s HouseCalls program.

“Walgreens collaboration with UnitedHealthcare helps people navigate their healthcare options and provides convenient access to affordable care,” said Rick Gates, senior VP, pharmacy and healthcare at Walgreens. “Through strategic partnerships like this, Walgreens store locations can offer comprehensive services tailored to the specific needs of the communities we serve that are conveniently accessible alongside our pharmacy services.”

The two companies are also collaborating on the new AARP Medicare Advantage Walgreens plans from UnitedHealthcare to deliver lower prescription drug costs and convenient access to medications. Expanding upon UnitedHealthcare’s 2020 Medicare Advantage offerings, the new AARP Medicare Advantage Walgreens plans with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage will deliver lower prescription drug costs and convenient access to medications through Walgreens, the plan’s preferred retail pharmacy. Many of the plans will feature $0 premiums and $0 copays on primary care visits, preventive care and many common generic drugs, offering another way for plan members to save.

“We are expanding access to UnitedHealthcare Medicare resources to better serve our members, providing them with all the valuable benefits they have come to expect from their UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans plus delivering the customer service and information they desire locally within Walgreens,” said Mike Anderson, CEO of the Medicare Part D business at UnitedHealthcare.