Anthem, a health benefits company, announced an arrangement with Walmart to advance the companies’ mutual goals of reducing healthcare costs and providing consumers with increased access to over-the counter (OTC) medicines and services that can improve their health.
The Anthem-Walmart program, launching in January 2019, will enable consumers who are enrolled in Anthem’s affiliated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to use OTC plan allowances to purchase OTC medications and health-related items, such as first aid supplies, support braces, and pain relievers at Walmart’s 4,700 stores and on Walmart.com. The new collaboration is expected to improve access to these items while significantly reducing the out-of-pocket costs for those enrolled in Anthem’s affiliated MA plans.
With more than 90% of Americans living within ten miles of a Walmart store and the retailer offering a number of services to ease consumers’ lives, including free two-day shipping with Walmart.com orders $35 or more (without a membership fee), which will also be available in the Anthem-Walmart program, this new initiative is expected to be important to older adults who seek more value for their money and a convenient shopping experience. According to the Social Security Administration, nearly a quarter of married seniors and four out of 10 unmarried older adults rely on their Social Security benefit, which averages just over $1,400 a month, for at least 90% of their income.
