Medicare Advantage: You Can Now Use Your Supplemental Benefits Online at Walgreens
The deal makes 1,700 eligible products online available, along with delivery in about an hour. Here’s what you need to know.
Walgreens is adding Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits to its digital channels — Walgreens.com and the Walgreens app.
Consumers have been able to use their MA supplemental benefits at Walgreens stores since 2019, and eligible members can now shop from its catalog of about 1,700 eligible products on its digital channels.The new offering provides additional digital health and well-being offerings such as 30-minute pickup and one-hour delivery of retail products, same-day prescription delivery and discounts.
“Accepting Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits online and on the Walgreens app improves shopping solutions for those who are homebound, have limited mobility or are simply short on time,” Tracey D. Brown, president of Walgreens Retail and Chief Customer Officer, said in a statement.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Customers can visit their MA plan website or call the number on the back of their MA card to find out if their supplemental benefits are eligible online, Walgreens said.
If you’re eligible, you can use a dedicated landing page to browse eligible items according to your plan.
Other recently announced Medicare Advantage partnerships include:
- Kroger and healthcare technology company Soda Health’s partnership last December to offer participating Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and employer benefits program enrollees pharmacy benefits, nutrition services and more at Kroger pharmacies. Last August, Kroger and Select Health announced a plan to launch Medicare Advantage plans in select regions of the country, which came available in January 2024.
- Healthcare tech firm Alignment Healthcare's plan offering Instacart as a benefit of certain Medicare Advantage plans in 13 counties across California and Nevada, launched earlier this year. Members with a qualifying chronic condition who enroll in one of the new plans will have access to $50 to $100 in quarterly grocery allowances through Instacart, a complimentary Instacart+ membership with free delivery on all orders over $35, and a curated Alignment Health Virtual Storefront on Instacart for members to shop Alignment’s recommended items.
- Walgreens and Alignment Healthcare teamed up to offer zero-premium Medicare Advantage plans in 10 counties across Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. The plan offers comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage, including a zero-dollar co-pay on more than 10,000 prescription drugs and members will receive access to Alignment’s 24/7 on-demand concierge.
- Supermarket operator Meijer launched an Medicare Advantage plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan last October with benefits that include a zero-dollar monthly premium, as well as zero-dollar annual deductible, primary care visits and copays on many generic prescription drugs. It also provides a $660 in-store allowance that can be used to purchase wellness-related items such as vitamins and bandages, Meijer said.
- Humana partnered with USAA Life Insurance last year to offer another co-branded plan. The companies said their plan is designed for veterans and complements healthcare benefits received through Veterans Affairs. The plan is available for anyone eligible for Medicare in eight states, however, the companies said.
Medicare.gov offers guidance on plans
Medicare pays private companies that it approves to offer Medicare benefits under Medicare Advantage plans, also referred to as “Part C.”
For details on the types of plans available in your area, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Rally Despite Rising Geopolitical Tension
The main indexes were mixed on Tuesday but closed well off their lows after an early flight to safety.
By David Dittman Published
-
What's at Stake for Alphabet as DOJ Eyes Google's Chrome
Alphabet is higher Tuesday even as antitrust officials at the DOJ support forcing Google to sell its popular web browser. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Visa, Mastercard's Swipe Fee Settlement Might Save You Money, For Now
The limited-time agreement directly benefits merchants, which can potentially pass savings on to consumers.
By Keerthi Vedantam Published
-
New List Out On Medicare Part B Drugs Eligible for Rebates
Some Medicare beneficiaries may pay lower coinsurance rates from April 1 to June 30 for the drugs, HHS says.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Use An iPhone? You May Be Hearing From A Class-Action Lawsuit Group
A handful of suits against the iPhone maker seek to crack down on everything from app store purchases to messaging.
By Keerthi Vedantam Published
-
Capital One/Discover: What's In Their Wallet For You?
Push back on Capital One's planned merger with Discover is growing with one group of consumer advocates calling for a public hearing.
By Keerthi Vedantam Published
-
Lawmakers: Nix Social Security Offsets For Seniors In Student Loan Default
Offsetting Social Security benefits to pay for defaulted student loans can be devastating for some beneficiaries, lawmakers say.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Stellantis Recalls 285K Vehicles Over Airbag Problems
Defective airbag inflators on certain Chrysler and Dodge vehicles could rupture and cause injury or death, NHTSA says.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
HHS Funding Secured As Major Government Shutdown Avoided
With passage of the fiscal 2024 appropriations package, Medicare and Social Security are among the key agencies to receive funding through September 30.
By Esther D’Amico Last updated
-
State Farm To Exit Homeowner Renewal Policies in California
State Farm plans to send non-renewal notices to 72,000 home and apartment policyholders starting this July.
By Esther D’Amico Published