Walgreens and OptumRx, UnitedHealth Group's freestanding pharmacy care services business, are joining forces. The new partnership aims to create a pharmacy solution to meet consumers' evolving prescription drug needs and support employers, health plans and their members to achieve better health outcomes and greater cost savings.
OptumRx currently manages more than 1 billion prescriptions annually.
Through the partnership, OptumRx, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., and Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens will create a more convenient, accessible and connected pharmacy experience. The companies will collaborate to deliver clients and members enrolled in the program an integrated pharmacy care offering that:
- Gives eligible OptumRx members the opportunity to fill 90-day prescriptions at home delivery copay levels at any of Walgreens' nearly 8,200 pharmacies nationwide or through OptumRx home delivery.
- Produces improved medication adherence and better patient outcomes by allowing patients to choose how to receive their medications, along with 24/7 pharmacist availability.
- Connects members to professionals who can provide clinical guidance to address specific disease classes, such as diabetes, and increase drug adherence.
- Enables OptumRx and Walgreens systems to better connect and communicate health data and analytics to ensure members receive the most effective prescription drugs at an appropriate cost.
Walgreens and OptumRx expect the new pharmacy solution to be available to commercial clients implementing new 90-day prescription benefit designs beginning Jan. 1, 2017.