Walgreens to sell health insurance

The Chicago Sun Times reports:

“Walgreen Co. is planning to sell health insurance through a private exchange set up to help consumers find insurance coverage under the health-reform law, according to a report on CNNMoney.com.

A spokesman for the Deerfield-based drugstore giant neither confirmed nor denied the plan.

“We’re looking at a number of options in light of health care reform as we continue to seek ways to help our customers better navigate today’s health care system,” said spokesman Robert Elfinger.

The CNNMoney report said Walgreen will sell a variety of health-insurance products with different levels of coverage and price ranges.

The private health-care exchanges, set to be operating in 2014 when President Obama’s health-reform mandates take effect, are designed to let consumers find policies at more affordable rates than they can now obtain directly from insurers.

Walgreen already offers basic medical care through in-store clinics, and touts itself as a wellness provider.”