Safeway to Educate Consumers on New Medicare Prescription Drug Education Program

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway, Inc. last week formed a strategic alliance with four major health care insurers to assist its customers with information about the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

The partners include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Health Net of Arizona, and UnitedHealth Group. Safeway pharmacies will work with the health care insurers to enhance the services available under Medicare Part D, including the co-sponsoring of educational outreach and the provision of one-on-one consultations and health care literature at most pharmacy locations.

In addition, Safeway and Safeway-owned pharmacies will carry information about the health care insurers' own prescription plans, designed especially for the Medicare Part D program.

For Safeway's 1,138 in-store pharmacies, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will provide these services to customers at the company's Tom Thumb and Randalls stores in Texas. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will provide these services to customers at Dominick's Finer Foods in Chicago and surrounding areas. Customers of Safeway stores in Arizona will receive the services from Health Net of Arizona. UnitedHealth Group will assist customers at stores under all Safeway banners, including those previously mentioned, as well as at Vons, Pavilions, Genuardi's, Carrs, and Pak 'n Save stores.

According to the retailer, due to the large number of prescription drug plan options available to beneficiaries, such guidance is vital to help ensure that they understand the new coverage and are prepared to make an informed decision.

These strategic alliances are designed to improve service to Medicare Part D participants and help them understand changes that will become effective Jan. 1, 2007 in their prescription drug coverage.
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