Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is collaborating with Walmart to allow 2019 Medicare Advantage plan members to buy over-the-counter medications and health products at the retail giant.
The Anthem-Walmart program launches in January 2019. The collaboration aims to improve members' access to OTC drugs and products, as more than 90 percent of Americans live within 10 miles of one of Walmart's 4,700 stores.
Anthem will also increase its OTC allowance for many of its Medicare Advantage plans next year to as much as $59 a quarter. Anthem expects this change, as well as its deal with Walmart, will "reduce healthcare costs for individuals because both will help give consumers the ability to purchase more items through their health plan benefits since Walmart is dedicated to offering products at low prices," according to a news release.