Walmart Joins CVS, Kroger In Preferred Pharmacy Network For ESRX Saver Plan

(RTTNews) - Express Scripts (ESRX) said it introduced its Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or PDP offerings for 2019, offering seniors three high-value options for coverage and savings.

The company said that its popular, low-premium Saver plan, which made its debut in 2018, will continue to provide affordable access to more than 2,800 commonly used medications while offering an expanded preferred pharmacy network that will now include Walmart in addition to CVS Pharmacy and the Kroger Family of Pharmacies.

The Saver plan offers a premium as low as $23.90 per month -- less than $1 per day -- and a $0 deductible on Tier 1 and Tier 2 generics. Copays are $1 for a one-month supply of Tier 1 generic medications and $4 for Tier 2 generic medications when filled at one of the 16,000+ preferred retail pharmacies nationwide. The copays for a 90-day supply of Tier 1 or Tier 2 generic medications are just $2 and $8, respectively, via home delivery from the Express Scripts Pharmacy.

The Express Scripts Medicare Value and Choice plans provide broader medication access and preferred pharmacy options. Rated 4 stars by Medicare in 2018, the Value and Choice plans each provide a more comprehensive formulary with more than 2,900 and 3,200 medications respectively and cover up to 75 percent of specialty medication costs, after the deductible.

The Choice plan also provides coverage in the Gap for a select group of Tier 3 brand drugs above the standard Gap coverage.

Both the Value and Choice plans will continue providing additional cost savings through a network of 26,000+ preferred pharmacies including Walgreens, the Kroger Family of Pharmacies and local, independent pharmacies nationwide.

Enrollment for the 2019 plan year runs from October 15, 2018 through December 7, 2018. Coverage begins on January 1, 2019. The Saver and Value plans are offered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Choice plan is offered in all regions except Puerto Rico.