Humana Will Continue to Pursue Walmart Partnership and Grow Walgreens Clinics

Any thoughts that Humana’s zest for developing clinics in Walgreens drugstores would dampen its enthusiasm for deepening its relationship with Walmart should be put to rest, according to Humana CEO Bruce Broussard. In a call with analysts, Broussard said Humana’s Walgreens partnership will focus on “senior-focused primary care clinics” in Kansas City, MO area pharmacies. He was less specific about the insurer’s plans with Walmart, though it was clear they would focus on a different patient population. Humana already posts sales reps in Walmart stores to push the company’s Medicare Part D plans. The Kansas City pilot is just the latest in a series of moves by insurers to strengthen ties with healthcare providers. Walgreens has its own competitive challenges to deal with, as fellow drugstore giant CVS is in the process of buying Aetna.