Longs Drug Stores Teams With Blue Shield of California to Market Medicare Part D Services

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Longs Drug Stores Corporation announced today a collaborative relationship with Blue Shield of California to provide information to Medicare beneficiaries on the pharmacy services available through the Medicare Part D drug benefit program. The two California-based companies will proactively reach out to eligible patients and their caregivers with education and enrollment information.

"The new drug benefit will help make health care more accessible and affordable for Medicare beneficiaries," said Lisa Rubino, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive, Blue Shield's Individual, Small Group and Government Business Unit. "Through this collaboration, we aim to help seniors choose the Part D coverage that's right for them."

Under the agreement, Blue Shield and Longs will provide Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in one of Blue Shield's Medicare Advantage HMO or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans with the option of purchasing a 90-day supply of maintenance medication on the Blue Shield formulary at a Longs pharmacy for less than they would pay through other Blue Shield network pharmacies, and similar to the costs of a 90-day mail order supply.

The companies will also provide personalized advice on Medicare Part D options, including Blue Shield's Medicare Advantage HMO and standalone drug coverage. In an effort to assist patients through the Medicare Part D program, community outreach will include one-on-one counseling by Blue Shield representatives at several Longs Drugs locations.

In addition, Longs has established a call center staffed by a group of individuals specially trained to help Medicare eligible beneficiaries navigate through all of the options available to them under Medicare Part D and answer their questions.

The telephone consultations bring answers into the homes of Medicare beneficiaries and is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (Monday through Friday) by dialing 1-800-568-2155.

"Both Longs and Blue Shield are trusted companies, with more than 60 years experience serving Californian's health care needs. We have a unique opportunity to inform Medicare beneficiaries of the choices available to them under the Medicare drug benefit program," said Bruce Schwallie, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Managed Care, Longs Drug Stores.

Blue Shield of California recently received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to offer Part D benefits. The standalone Part D offering is designed to complement Medicare supplement plans, has no deductibles and uses fixed copayments so members always know the cost of their prescription drugs. The Blue Shield 65 Plus Medicare Advantage plan has over 50,000 members who will be enrolled automatically in the new prescription drug plan, which offers richer benefits.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on Longs Drug Stores Corporation's current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to vary materially from those included in or contemplated by such statements. Risks and uncertainties and other factors are detailed from time to time in Longs Drug Store Corporation, media releases and annual, quarterly and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Risks and uncertainties include among other things, risks of changing market conditions in the overall and regional economy, changes in consumer preferences and perceptions, and changes in applicable law or in the interpretation of applicable law by regulatory agencies. Please refer to such filings for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. Longs Drug Stores Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any projections or other forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

About Blue Shield of California

Founded in 1939, Blue Shield of California is one of the state's leading healthcare companies. Headquartered in San Francisco, the not-for-profit corporation has more than 3.3 million members, 4,300 employees and more than 20 office locations throughout California. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.mylifepath.com/.

About Longs Drug Stores Corporation

Longs Drug Stores Corporation is one of the most recognized retail drug store chains on the West Coast and in Hawaii. Through its 476 stores located in California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Oregon, Longs Drug Stores serves the health and well-being needs of consumers through customer- oriented pharmacy services and convenient product offerings that include over- the-counter medications, photo and cosmetics. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Longs also provides pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services through its RxAmerica subsidiary. Additional information about Longs Drug Stores Corporation and its Internet prescription services is available at http://www.longs.com/.