Walgreens has partnered with Chicago-based GoHealth, a certified Web-based enrollment entity, to provide customers with information about the state and federally facilitated health care exchanges.
“We knew from our experience with Medicare Part D and other programs that have come out in the past that millions of people are going to be walking into our stores and asking our pharmacists what they should do,” says Peter Hotz, group vice president of Walgreens health and wellness division. “We think that helping [customers] obtain the right health insurance is a critical part of our mission.”
Staff at Walgreens stores will direct customers who ask about the exchanges to the GoHealth Marketplace, where they can shop and compare health insurance plans, enroll and find other tools and information. Customers will receive online or telephonic support from GoHealth advisers, who can help them through the selection and enrollment process. The GoHealth Marketplace offers all plans on the federal and state exchanges.
“We know there are thousands of employers out there who cover certain people under their benefit plan, but they also may have a bunch of people who may work for them on a part-time basis who don’t qualify [for coverage] under the benefit plan,” says Holtz. “So we can be a go-to place for them in the community where they can start their journey and get information on what their options might be.”
