HOBOKEN, N.J. — Next month, Rite Aid Corp. plans to have independent, licensed insurance agents in about 2,000 stores to offer free consultations to customers seeking guidance on new health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Next month, Rite Aid Corp. plans to have independent, licensed insurance agents in about 2,000 stores to offer free consultations to customers seeking guidance on new health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The move comes with the October 1 open enrollment for the new Health Insurance Marketplace that will enable millions of Americans to buy health insurance through state exchanges.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius visited a Rite Aid store in Hoboken, N.J., this month to help launch the program. "What we know across the country is that families look to their pharmacies as a place to go for honest, straightforward health advice they can trust," she said.

Agents will be able to answer customers’ ACA questions and help them compare and enroll in health plans. Rite Aid also will provide ACA information in brochures at its stores and online.

"Just as so many customers turned to us for guidance about Medicare Part D, customers will now look to Rite Aid for information to help them make the best health insurance choices for themselves and their families," said Rite Aid chairman and chief executive officer John Standley.