The collaborators say they'll provide personalized in-store access for consumers to improve health outcomes and access, and lower costs.
Blue Shield of California and Walgreens are collaborating to offer lower-cost healthcare in retail and virtual settings with a focus on wellness and disease management for communities across the state.
"We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with Walgreens because of our shared goal to reimagine healthcare," said Peter Long, executive vice president of Strategy and Health Solutions at Blue Shield of California.
"Together, we are transforming healthcare 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."
The collaboration will open at Walgreens Health Corner services for Blue Shield commercial members to improve health outcomes. The Health Corner locations will include health advisors – pharmacists, dieticians, or nurses – to help with health, nutrition, fitness, and disease management care coordination for either real-time or future care, the two businesses said in a joint media release.
Blue Shield members in eligible plans will have access to blood pressure screenings, administration of A1C blood tests, and mammography care coordination. They can also pick up take-home health screening tests with in-person assistance from health advisors, who will also help members set up digital health apps on their mobile devices.
The collaboration will begin later this year with the goal to expand Blue Shield services offerings in Walgreens stores, virtually, and at home, in early 2022. Walgreens has 586 stores in California.
"Blue Shield has a long-standing history of transforming healthcare for their members and beyond," said Vish Sankaran, Walgreens Boots Alliance chief innovation officer.
"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," Sankaran said.
“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.”
Vish Sankaran, Walgreens Boots Alliance.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The collaboration will open at Walgreens Health Corner services for Blue Shield commercial members to improve health outcomes.
The Health Corner locations will include health advisors to help with health, nutrition, fitness, and disease management care coordination.
Blue Shield members in eligible plans will have access to blood pressure screenings, administration of A1C blood tests, and mammography care coordination.
They can also pick up take-home health screening tests with in-person assistance from health advisors, who will also help members set up digital health apps on their mobile devices.
The collaboration will begin later this year with the goal to expand Blue Shield services offerings in Walgreens stores, virtually, and at home, in early 2022.