DEERFIELD, Ill., May 15, 2013 – Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) has been selected as a Medicare Contract Supplier by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries requiring enteral nutrition (tube feeding) in 97 of 100 competitive bidding areas (CBA) nationwide.
Beginning July 1, eligible patients in nearly every CMS-designated market nationwide will have the option to receive their enteral care through Walgreens Infusion Services. The CMS competitive bidding program for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients, ensuring they receive quality services while generating cost savings for Medicare.
“We’re pleased to have been chosen to continue to serve Medicare beneficiaries in competitive bidding areas coast to coast,” said Paul Mastrapa, president of Walgreens Infusion and Respiratory Services. “Walgreens is well-positioned to continue making a meaningful difference in patient lives by delivering high-quality, personalized patient care. Walgreens has high rates of patient satisfaction and safety.1”
The competitive bidding program launched the first nine metropolitan areas in 2011 and is expanding to 91 more areas beginning July 1. Requirements for the bidding program were established by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and modified based on the subsequent Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The contracts will be up for re-bid every three years. Those awarded the bids must comply with Medicare enrollment rules, be licensed and accredited and meet financial standards.
With more than 30 years of experience in home infusion, Walgreens clinical teams work with health care providers, patients and caregivers to provide patients high-quality, compassionate care. Walgreens Infusion Services has a staff of more than 1,400 clinical experts, including specially trained infusion nurses, infusion pharmacists and registered dietitians, at more than 75 infusion pharmacies and 100 alternate treatment sites across the country. Experienced Walgreens Infusion Services clinical staff members provide personalized care and patient support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Patients and health care providers who would like more information can call (866) 827-8203.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services help improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,086 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
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1 December 2012 – February 2013 Walgreens patient satisfaction data on file.
2 February 2011 Walgreens patient data on file.