Kroger Co. Strengthens Healthcare Access with New Agreement with Express Scripts
On February 5, 2025, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced a significant new agreement with Express Scripts, a leading pharmacy benefit services division of Evernorth. This partnership aims to expand access to essential prescription medications and healthcare services through Kroger's Family of Pharmacies, marking a pivotal moment for both companies and their customers.
1. Enhancing Healthcare Accessibility
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of Kroger, expressed its unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility for all individuals. Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health, emphasized the company's belief that comprehensive healthcare should be available to everyone. "We look forward to again serving Express Scripts customers. This agreement reaffirms our commitment to bringing high-quality services to more customers across the country," stated Lindholz.
2. Immediate Benefits for Express Scripts Customers
Under the newly formed agreement, Kroger Family of Pharmacies will immediately resume services for customers covered under Express Scripts' Medicare Part D plans and Tricare/Department of Defense (DOD) plans. Moreover, commercial and Medicaid clients from Express Scripts will have the option to include Kroger Family of Pharmacies in their respective networks. This partnership now collectively serves more than 100 million people across the United States, further enhancing Kroger's footprint in the healthcare sector.
Comprehensive Pharmacy Services
The Kroger Family of Pharmacies operates over 2,200 pharmacies in 35 states, catering to a diverse customer base. With this agreement, the pharmacies will continue to provide vital services such as prescription medication dispensing, health consultations, and wellness initiatives. Kroger Health is committed to delivering integrated healthcare solutions that align with its vision of promoting healthier communities.
For customers seeking more information about available services and insurance plans, Kroger has made resources accessible through their dedicated health portal at Kroger Health.
3. About Kroger and Kroger Health
The Kroger Co. is dedicated to its mission of "To Feed the Human Spirit™." With nearly half a million associates, the company serves over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and a variety of retail food stores. Kroger’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its #ZeroHungerZeroWaste initiative, aiming for significant progress by 2025.
Kroger Health stands as one of America's leading retail healthcare organizations, providing care to over 17 million patients annually. The division employs a robust team of 24,000 healthcare practitioners, including pharmacists and nurse practitioners, who practice at the top of their licenses. This expertise enables innovative approaches such as "food as medicine," which aims to prevent disease and promote healthier lifestyles.
For further information about Kroger and its offerings, interested parties can visit the company's newsroom and investor relations site.
In conclusion, the new agreement between Kroger Co. and Express Scripts symbolizes a significant advancement in healthcare accessibility for millions of Americans, reinforcing Kroger's position at the intersection of retail and healthcare services.
