CVS/pharmacy to Help Patients Save Time and Money During Annual Medicare Part D Enrollment Period

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), announced today that it will offer its senior patients an easy way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans during the Annual Enrollment Period of October 15 to December 7, 2014.

All CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide will be able to provide to patients a personalized Medicare Part D plan comparison in minutes based on the current prescriptions they fill at CVS. Patients will also have the option to conduct their plan comparison online at www.cvs.com/medicare or by calling CVS/pharmacy at 1-877-543-6656.

"CVS/pharmacy's plan comparison tool provides patients with convenient ways to learn how much money they could save by choosing a new Medicare Part D plan based on their own prescription usage," said Josh Flum, Senior Vice President of Retail Pharmacy, CVS Health. "While pharmacists cannot recommend any specific Medicare Part D plan, we can help patients understand their options based on their individual needs."

While CVS/pharmacy does not endorse any specific Medicare Part D plan and accepts all major Medicare prescription drug plans, it is participating in 20 regional and national Part D preferred pharmacy networks that provide additional savings opportunities for Medicare beneficiaries, including no or low co-pays on generic prescription medications.

The following national Medicare Part D carriers offer plans that include CVS/pharmacy as a preferred pharmacy:

• Aetna
• Coventry First Health
• SilverScript Plus
• United American Prescription Drug Plans
• WellPoint affiliated plans

CVS/pharmacy is also participating in 16 regional preferred pharmacy networks across the U.S.

Annual Enrollment is the one time a year that most Medicare beneficiaries can review their current prescription coverage and enroll in a new plan for 2015 if they choose. Because Medicare Part D plans change every year and people's prescription needs may also change, comparing Part D plans could save patients hundreds of dollars. 

Whether changing Medicare Part D plans or choosing one for the first time, it is important for patients to consider their annual deductible, premium and co-payments, as well as which plans cover the prescriptions they are taking, any out-of-pocket expenses, and if their pharmacy is included in the plan.

Information from a selection of Medicare Part D plans in the local area will be available at Health Insurance Information Centers in all 7,700 CVS/pharmacy locations. In addition, more than 2,000 events will be held in CVS/pharmacy stores across the country during the open enrollment period, during which health insurance experts will provide Medicare Part D plan information to eligible patients.  

CVS/pharmacy's dedicated Medicare website, www.cvs.com/medicare, also provides resources and information for Medicare beneficiaries, including access to the Medicare Plan Finder, tips on when to consider choosing a new plan and how to lower your prescription costs.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,700 locations. It is the first national pharmacy to end the sale of tobacco and the first pharmacy in the nation to receive the Community Pharmacy accreditation from URAC, the leading health care accreditation organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Health is available at www.cvshealth.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mike DeAngelis
mjdeangelis@cvs.com 
401-770-2645

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SOURCE CVS/pharmacy