Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to integrate PillPack into member app 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will integrate Amazon’s PillPack into its member app, making it the first health plan to offer this type of direct integration with the online pharmacy. 

Members in fully insured, commercial plans will have the option to switch to PillPack from Blue Cross’ MyBlue app or directly from the insurer’s website, the health plan announced this week. The target demographic is members who are taking multiple medications. 

For those who choose to use PillPack’s services, they’ll be able to store their insurance and demographic information and medication lists, saving time when they need to order prescriptions, Blue Cross officials said. 

“We know many of our members are managing daily medications, which can cause confusion and stress,” said Blue Cross CEO Andrew Dreyfus in a statement. “By making it easy to use PillPack, we are giving our members easy access to a simpler, more personalized experience that removes the guesswork from taking multiple prescriptions.” 

RELATED: Amazon’s acquisition of online pharmacy PillPack spooks retail stores 

Online retail giant Amazon purchased PillPack in July 2018, which has caused friction with legacy companies in the space including Surescripts and CVS Health. CVS took its own prescription delivery service nationwide in August. 

Members who choose to use PillPack will have access to customized dosage packaging, access to pharmacists around the clock, proactive contact with physicians to ensure there are no gaps in medication and routine monitoring for adverse effects, without an additional subscription fee, Blue Cross officials said. 

“We hope this integration with PillPack will make it easy for our members to have a convenient way to manage their medications so they can go back to focusing on what’s important to them,” said Katie Catlender, vice president of consumer experience at the insurer, in a statement.