Walgreens in strategic agreement with New York State’s largest health care provider

Walgreens has entered into a five-year partnership with Northwell Health to advance “health equity” throughout New York State and expand digital health services and retail and specialty services for its residents.

The two companies said they will aim to develop innovative healthcare delivery models, with offerings and services that better the health of populations and reduce costs of healthcare by advancing the delivery of retail health services in relation to access, quality, equity, satisfaction and efficiency of care.

As part of the agreement, Northwell telehealth providers are now accessible on the Walgreens Find Care platform across the state of New York, expanding access to virtual emergency care services from board-certified emergency medicine physicians while at home. Pediatric specialists are also available.

Additionally, since Sept. 1, Northwell Health’s employees can fill their non-specialty prescriptions at any Walgreens pharmacy.

Walgreens and Northwell are also exploring a retail health clinic collaboration at select Walgreens stores locations throughout the tri-state area, which would create additional access to primary care particularly in underserved communities.

“Northwell Health shares our commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality health care and pharmacy services,” said Jeff Bruneteau, regional VP of Eastern operations, Walgreens, which operates more than 9,000 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Having our pharmacy services available to Northwell Health employees gives them convenient access to a broader network of trusted Walgreens pharmacies.”

[Read More: Walgreens partnership with VillageMD expands into Arizona]

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, 830 outpatient facilities and more than 16,600 affiliated physicians.