ST. LOUIS — Express Scripts announced that Walgreen Co. is participating as a preferred pharmacy provider in its two nationally available Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) for 2015.

The pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) said Wednesday that Medicare beneficiaries enrolling in Express Scripts Medicare Value or Choice plans for 2015 can save significantly — with zero or $1 co-payments, respectively, for Tier 1generic drugs — when using one of the more than 27,000 pharmacies in the plans’ preferred retail pharmacy network.

Express Scripts’ preferred pharmacy network includes about 8,200 Walgreens pharmacies and more than 18,500 community pharmacies. The preferred network also offers reduced co-pays for Tier 2 generics, preferred and nonpreferred brand-name medications.

Members of those plans also have access to a broader network of more than 67,000 retail pharmacies nationwide as well as to the Express Scripts Home Delivery Pharmacy.

"Together, Walgreens and Express Scripts have extensive experience serving the health care needs of Medicare beneficiaries, and this is another way we can help them get the most value from their Part D plan," Kermit Crawford, president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Walgreens, said in a statement. "By serving as a preferred network provider, Walgreens can offer plan members greater access to pharmacy services, cost savings opportunities and personalized care from our more than 27,000 pharmacists."

Enrollees in the Express Scripts Medicare Choice plan also have no deductible for Tier 1 and Tier 2 generics, and no co-pay for 90-day supplies of Tier 1 generics from the Express Scripts Home Delivery Pharmacy. Enrollees in the Express Scripts Medicare Value plan pay a low monthly premium and $3 for a 90-day supply of Tier 1 generics via home delivery.

Part D enrollment for the 2015 plan year runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, with coverage starting on Jan.1. Both the Choice and Value plans offer coverage for more than 3,000 medications and are offered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

"Express Scripts Medicare Part D plans, which consistently earn high Star Ratings from Medicare, offer seniors customized support to help them stay healthy and make the most of their benefit," stated Mike Looney, vice president of Medicare prescription drug plans at Express Scripts. "We offer 24/7 access to Medicare advisors who can help enrollees save money on their medications and delay reaching the coverage gap, and pharmacists who are always available to answer questions about medications from the privacy of the beneficiary’s home. Most importantly, enrollees have access to Express Scripts specialist pharmacists, who have expertise in the medications that treat conditions most common among seniors — such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol — and can offer personalized clinical support and care."

In 2012, Walgreens had exited Express Scripts’ pharmacy network for nearly nine months amid a bitter contract dispute with the PBM. Citing unsuccessful contract renewal talks, Walgreens in June 2011 announced that it would no longer participate in the Express Scripts network starting Jan. 1, 2012. The companies unveiled a settlement in July 2012, which resulted in Walgreens rejoining the PBM’s pharmacy network in mid-September 2012.