Blue Shield of California ups stakes in retail care in new collaboration with Walgreens
Retail pharmacies are increasingly becoming a one-stop-shop for consumers' health and wellness needs.
Photo: Walgreens
Blue Shield of California is teaming up with Walgreens to offer its members additional healthcare services.
The collaboration will roll out in phases, the first beginning in late 2021 with expansion planned for 2022. It focuses on condition management and whole-person care, according to the announcement.
"We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with Walgreens because of our shared goal to reimagine healthcare," Peter Long, executive vice president of Strategy and Health Solutions at Blue Shield of California, said by statement. "Together, we are transforming health care by launching innovative, high-touch, personalized, and holistic solutions for members and Californians with the ultimate goal of providing enhanced access to care that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable."
Initially, the partnership will center on Walgreens' Health Corner services, which primarily target nutrition, disease management and fitness. It will give Blue Shield of California members access to services such as blood pressure screenings, A1C blood tests and mammography care coordination.
Members will be able to consult Health Corner advisors who can instruct on at-home health tests, recommend new health and wellness products and assist members in setting up digital health mobile applications.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Competitive threats from health insurers, retail and technology companies are a growing concern to hospitals and health systems, according to a recent Kaufman Hall report.
Retail pharmacies such as Walgreens are increasingly becoming a one-stop-shop for consumers' health and wellness needs. In fact, more than half (51%) of retail pharmacy customers say they've used health and wellness services at their pharmacy over the last year, according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Pharmacy Study.
Walgreens was one of many pharmacies to participate in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program that has assisted in the nation's vaccine rollout.
This year, the pharmacy also sold off its wholesale pharmacy business for $6.5 billion and announced plans to open 29 new Village Medical facilities at its Texas locations in Houston, Austin and El Paso.
THE LARGER TREND
The partnership is a part of Blue Shield of California's larger Health Reimagined program that tests, pilots and scales innovations with the goal of improving access to high-quality care through collaborations.
Blue Shield of California has had a busy year of its own. In January, the nonprofit health insurer shared it is expanding the use of OODA Health's payment platform to more than 20 additional Dignity Health hospitals throughout California.
Then in April, it enhanced its Wellvolution program by adding two new services that provide personalized care and nutrition support for members living with or at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
More recently, the payer participated in Cricket Health's $83.5 million Series B funding round.
ON THE RECORD
"Walgreens is excited to join forces with Blue Shield of California for this community health effort," Vish Sankaran, chief innovation officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance, said in a statement.
"Blue Shield has a long-standing history of transforming health care for their members and beyond. By leveraging our trusted retail pharmacy locations, deep healthcare experience, and community relationships, together we are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps in care for many Californians to create a more seamless and convenient consumer experience."
Twitter: @HackettMallory
Email the writer: mhackett@himss.org
