Chinese Community Health Plan Announces Continued Prescription Service at Walgreens for its Members

SAN FRANCISCO, December 02, 2011 - As of January 2012, Chinese Community Health Plan (CCHP) will transition to a new pharmacy benefits management company, Navitus Health Solutions, to provide its members with improved prescription drug services and continued access to Walgreens pharmacies.

The move to Navitus Health Solutions means CCHP members won’t be impacted by an on-going dispute between Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) and Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX), a large prescription benefit management company. Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, individuals whose prescription drug insurance is managed by Express Scripts won’t be able to use their network benefits at Walgreens pharmacies. Those affected by this change include health care members of Anthem Blue Cross, Tricare and, until now, CCHP benefits members. As a health care system serving primarily San Francisco residents, CCHP’s members would have faced difficulties in getting pharmacy access without Walgreens as a service option. In San Francisco, Walgreens is a leading pharmacy provider and operates the only 24-hour pharmacies in the City.

“Our concern is for the continuity of care for the residents we serve in this area. Having access to medications in a timely fashion is an important part of their overall health care. Removing access from a neighborhood Walgreens to another drugstore downtown or in a different part of the City could generate scenarios in which seniors or other individuals cannot fully access the medicines they need,” said Larry Loo, Director of Business Development and Operations for the Chinese Community Health Plan.

“We are thrilled that Walgreens and the Chinese Community Health Plan will remain working together in 2012. CCHP customers are welcome to continue using our Walgreens stores and pharmacies in Chinatown, on San Bruno Avenue, on Irving Street, on Clement Street and all over San Francisco,” said Shawn Houghtaling, San Francisco District Pharmacy Supervisor for Walgreens.

About Chinese Community Health Plan (CCHP)

CCHP is the health plan subsidiary of Chinese Hospital in San Francisco. For nearly 25 years, CCHP has provided culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care to a community that is generally not served by the broader health insurance market. CCHP provides quality, affordable coverage for large and small employer groups, individual and families and people with Medicare. CCHP is contracted with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage plans, including Part D. CCHP is open to everyone in San Francisco and Northern San Mateo Counties.

For more information, contact Larry Loo, Director of Business Development and Operations, at (415) 955-8800 or LLOO@cchphmo.com.

Jim Ross Consulting
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