Walgreens offers month's supply of drugs to patients enrolled in insurance marketplaces, but without ID numbers

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Patients who have enrolled in the new healthcare insurance marketplaces but haven't received an identification number from their insurers can receive up to a 30-day supply of prescription drugs at no upfront cost at Walgreens, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Through the end of January, customers can take confirmation of their enrollment in the public health insurance marketplace to a Walgreens pharmacy, or the pharmacy staff can check to verify eligibility, and they can obtain up to a month's supply of many branded or generic medications at no upfront cost.

"We understand that all the chains that come with healthcare reform may create some questions for newly enrolled individuals," Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness Kermit Crawford said. "We are deeply committed to helping these patients get, stay and live well by helping them get their medications without interruption."

The chain said it was reaching out to insurance companies' operations groups to request nightly eligibility file updates on health insurance marketplace plan enrollees to help ensure Walgreens pharmacy teams have the most up-to-date coverage information, as well as encouraging patients enrolled through the public marketplace to confirm coverage with their insurance companies. Pharmacy staff at Walgreens stores will individually review patient benefits and work with insurance companies directly to confirm benefit eligibility.