Northwell Health and Walgreens partner on 5-year digital agreement

Photo courtesy of Walgreens

Northwell Health and Walgreens have announced a five-year strategic affiliation in New York State.

The digital agreement makes Northwell telehealth providers accessible on the Walgreens Find Care platform, expanding community member access to virtual emergency care services from board-certified emergency medicine physicians. Pediatric specialists are also available.

Walgreens is being offered as an in-network pharmacy provider for Northwell's 76,000 employees. Since September 1, Northwell Health's employees could fill their non-specialty prescriptions at a Walgreens pharmacy.

Northwell and Walgreens are also exploring a retail health clinic collaboration at select Walgreens store locations throughout the tristate area, which would create additional access to primary care, particularly in underserved communities, the companies said. 

WHY THIS MATTERS

The affiliation is aimed at improving the health of populations and advancing health equity throughout New York State, the companies said. It will explore the common goals of developing innovative healthcare delivery models, offerings and services and advance the delivery of retail health services.

Retail health services are increasingly becoming competition to traditional primary care and providers.

Northwell Health and Walgreens collaborated during the peak of the pandemic to offer COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable community members, according to Dr. Deb Salas-Lopez, Northwell Health senior vice president of community and population health. 

"We look forward to continuing to build on our relationship," she said.

THE LARGER TREND

Walgreens has been strategically planning to offer more primary care services.

This summer, Walgreens Boot Alliance and VillageMD announced plans to offer 29 new Village Medical at Walgreens practices in Texas, with the goal of opening 600 Village Medical at Walgreens in more than 30 U.S. markets over the next four years.

ON THE RECORD

"We are very excited to partner with Walgreens to improve health, improve care and reduce costs through collaborative and innovative opportunities," said Mark Solazzo, Northwell Health president of Strategic Initiatives and COO.

"Northwell Health shares our commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare and pharmacy services," said Jeff Bruneteau, regional vice president of Eastern operations, Walgreens. "Having our pharmacy services available to Northwell Health employees gives them convenient access to a broader network of trusted Walgreens pharmacies."

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com