Walgreens Broadens Weight-Management Services and Adds GLP-1 Support Tools

New offerings are designed to help eligible patients explore treatment, coverage and savings options, including Medicare GLP-1 Bridge participants and those with commercial insurance

DEERFIELD, Ill. /PRNewswire/ -- Walgreens has announced upgrades to its weight-management services, expanding access to virtual care for eligible patients seeking help with insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications. The new support includes coverage eligibility checks, prior authorization assistance and access to medications covered through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program or commercial insurance. Additional features include pharmacist support for patients beginning therapy, a more robust online resource hub and coverage and savings information through Rx Savings Finder.

Through Walgreens Weight Management, patients can connect online with a doctor or nurse practitioner and, if eligible, receive a prescription for an FDA-approved GLP-1 weight-loss medication. Weight-management visits cost $49, do not require a subscription and do not include medication costs. Patients already using a GLP-1 medication for weight loss may also use virtual care clinicians for ongoing treatment support.

"Staying on a GLP-1 medication can be challenging for many patients. More than half of patients who begin GLP-1 therapy for weight management discontinue treatment within a year for a variety of reasons, highlighting the need for ongoing support, affordability solutions, and easier access to care," said Rick Gates, Chief Pharmacy & External Affairs Officer at Walgreens. "Walgreens pharmacists can support patients from the moment they begin exploring whether a GLP-1 medication may be right for them and throughout their treatment journey, helping them access information, resources and support along the way."

Expanded Virtual Care Access and Support

Walgreens Weight Management can now help patients navigate self-pay and commercial insurance options for their medications, including checking commercial insurance prescription coverage and completing prior authorizations when needed. Patients who qualify for CMS' Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program can also connect with virtual healthcare providers for help with eligibility, prior authorizations and building a treatment plan.

Additional Pharmacist Support After Prescription Pickup

For many patients, questions come up after treatment begins. Once a prescription is picked up, Walgreens pharmacists will contact all patients who start filling a GLP-1 medication to answer common questions, share educational materials and connect them with additional Walgreens support. The outreach is intended to help patients better understand their therapy and remain engaged in care. Together, these services are meant to help patients address barriers to GLP-1 medications, including access, affordability and ongoing support.

Walgreens Weight Management Hub

For more information about accessing GLP-1s for weight loss at Walgreens, patients can visit www.walgreens.com/GLP-1, a new resource hub that helps people learn about treatment options and costs. The platform includes information about manufacturer's savings card options for Wegovy^® Injection and Pill, Zepbound^® and Foundayo^™ through Rx Savings Finder, Walgreens Weight Management through Virtual Healthcare, CMS's Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program and support products aimed at easing potential side effects such as nausea, dehydration and other gastrointestinal effects.

About Walgreens

Founded in 1901, Walgreens serves more than 9 million customers and patients each day across nearly 8,000 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The company has about 211,000 team members, including roughly 85,000 healthcare service providers, and says it aims to be the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services by building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.

Media Contact

Taylor Salamone

*Weight Management Virtual Healthcare services are currently available in all U.S. states except AL. For Medicare Bridge patients, Walgreens Weight Management is available in all U.S. states except AL, DC, DE, KS, LA, MS, NM, RI, and WV. Service and availability varies by state. Services are not available in Puerto Rico.

**Prescription based on medical evaluation and not guaranteed.

Walgreens-affiliated medical practices are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians who provide services using the Walgreens virtual care program telehealth platform. For more information about the relationship between Walgreens and the medical practices click here.

Walgreens Health Medical Group California P.C. is a California professional medical corporation utilizing the fictitious name "Walgreens Health Medical Group California P.C." pursuant to Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2415. To view the Fictitious Name Permit click here.