Walmart, Humana to help Medicare beneficiaries afford their prescriptions

Annual enrollment begins today for 2013 Medicare plans and Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) and Walmart (NYSE: WMT) will once again help beneficiaries afford their prescriptions. The Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan, which has grown by more than 50 percent over the past year and has nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled, features:

“Walmart has helped nearly one and a half million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries save money on their medications so they can ultimately live healthier lives”

• One low monthly plan premium of $18.50 a month for beneficiaries in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., regardless of where they live.
• In-store copayments as low as $1 for generic medications after deductible when plan members fill their prescriptions at the more than 4,400 Walmart, Sam's Club or Neighborhood Market pharmacies.
• Mail order copayments, via Humana's RightSource Rx Pharmacy, as low as $0.
• A broad prescription offering with more than 1,500 generic medications. A list of prescription drugs covered by the plan is available at humana-medicare.com.

"Walmart has helped nearly one and a half million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries save money on their medications so they can ultimately live healthier lives," said John Agwunobi, M.D., president of Walmart's Health and Wellness Division. "We pioneered a low-cost, national Medicare Part D program with Humana two years ago, which continues to offer one of the lowest premiums available. This year, we have joined additional plans as a preferred pharmacy as well, allowing us to provide our affordable prescription services to more seniors than ever before."

"As one of the leading health benefits and Medicare companies, Humana is helping Americans navigate the changing landscape of health care," said William Fleming, Pharm. D., president of Humana Pharmacy Solutions. "By working with Walmart - a leader in cost savings - we're enabling seniors and people with disabilities to better afford their medications."

Medicare Part D is the prescription drug program supported by the federal government. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 20 million people are currently enrolled in a stand-alone Part D plan. Based on 2010 Census data, there are 40.2 million people 65 years and older, representing 13 percent of the total U.S. population.

"With so many options based on where you live and what prescriptions you need, selecting a Medicare Part D plan can be overwhelming," said Alexis Abramson, Ph.D, a gerontologist and leading advocate for health and wellness issues affecting baby boomers and seniors. "Programs such as the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan provide an affordable solution for all qualified Medicare beneficiaries - whether they live in Boise or Chicago."

Annual enrollment for 2013 Medicare plans runs from Oct. 15, 2012 - Dec. 7, 2012. For more information on the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan (PDP), please visit walmart.com/rxplan or humana-medicare.com. Beneficiaries can also call Humana toll free at 1-800-899-0441 (TTY: 711). Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The online resources feature plan finder tools to compare Medicare Part D options.

Walmart's role as a preferred pharmacy on many Medicare Part D plans builds on the retailer's ongoing commitment to save its customers money on their pharmacy purchases. For example, in 2006 Walmart introduced a $4 prescription program that has saved customers more than $4.8 billion on their prescriptions.