This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are a member of the Express Scripts program through your health insurance and you like to fill your prescriptions at Walgreens, there’s some important information that you need to know.

It seems that Walgreens and Express Scripts have failed to reach a contract agreement with each other, and as a result, Walgreens will no longer be part of the pharmacy provider network for Express Scripts as of January 1, 2012.

What happened? Well, you can get full details about it by checking out the Walgreens and Express Script press release, but basically, Express Scripts wanted full control over contract terms and to reduce the reimbursement rate for Walgreens to below the industry standard. Walgreens was not seeking an increase in rates.

Who loses? The customers, of course! Express Scripts has stated that their members are not going to experience any cost savings by having Walgreens off the list of providers, so even they are acknowledging a lack of benefit to customers. For people who traditionally went to Walgreens for their prescriptions through this plan, they will have to find a new pharmacy, develop a new relationship with a pharmacist, and potentially encounter higher prices, as Walgreens kept their prices very competitive.

While Walgreens is unable to reach an agreement with Express Scripts, they have made an effort to ease the burden to customers who will be affected by offering a special discount for the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. A family (adult, spouse and any children under 22) can join for just $10/year, and gain access to discount pricing on more than 8,000 brand name and generic prescriptions. Individuals are able to join for just $5/year. In additions to receiving discounts on prescriptions, members will receive discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies. You are also eligible for bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services.

Walgreens wants to help your family not be as negatively impacted by the failed negotiations between the two corporations. If you’d like to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings with Walgreens, be sure to follow Walgreens on Twitter as well as Walgreens on Facebook