November 10, 2022
In September, Kroger notified Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) of its intent to end their pharmacy provider agreement effective January 1, 2023. ESI is an independent company providing online prescription and pharmacy services to LifeWise of Washington Health Plan members.
ESI is committed to offering affordable pharmacy access and is continuing to negotiate in good faith with Kroger to stay in network. A Kroger termination with ESI impacts the following pharmacies under the Kroger umbrella*:
Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Food Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, King Sooper, Kroger, Owens Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith's Food and Drug.
As part of the standard termination process, ESI will send notification letters to members who use Kroger pharmacies. The mailing will be sent 30 to 60 days in advance, sometime between November 2, 2022, and December 2, 2022.
LifeWise members who have filled a prescription at a Kroger pharmacy in the last 90 days will also receive a letter from LifeWise with a list of alternate pharmacies near their current Kroger pharmacy. These letters are scheduled to be sent by December 1, 2022. LifeWise members can also view other in-network pharmacy options via the LifeWise.com member portal.
*Any added impact caused by Kroger’s plans to merge with Albertsons is unknown. The deal is not expected to close until early 2024, pending regulatory and anti-trust review.