Kroger Family of Pharmacies Providing Prescriptions at No Upfront Cost for Customers Enrolled in the Public Health Insurance Marketplace

CINCINNATI, Jan. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Family of Pharmacies is providing up to a 30-day supply of certain prescriptions at no upfront cost to customers who have enrolled in the Affordable Care Act'sPublic Health Insurance Marketplace but do not yet have identification information from an insurer.

"Every January, our pharmacists and technicians help customers navigate through new plan transitions. It is part of our commitment to the health and wellness of the communities we serve," said Lincoln Lutz, Kroger's vice president of pharmacy. "Our pharmacists are once again available to answer questions and provide information about the new insurance plans. And, to ensure that our customers can get their medications without interruption, we are offering to fill certain prescriptions at no upfront cost for up to 30 days for customers who have signed up for the public health exchanges but have not yet received their plan ID card."

Customers are asked to provide confirmation of their enrollment in a public health insurance marketplace to a Kroger Family Pharmacy for verification of coverage.

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs 343,000 associates who serve customers in 2,414 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 327 fine jewelry stores, 1,218 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.