Health cards can be used for food and O-T-Cs

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Cos. has announced a deal that will allow customers to use their health benefit cards to buy food and health and wellness items at its stores.

The retailer said Friday that it has partnered with the global financial services technology firm FIS, which represents supplemental health benefits administrators (including Fresh Connect, PayForward and WEX) that use its technology payment platform. Albertsons also has a deal to accept benefit cards from Soda Health, which works to improve health equity by tailoring benefits based on individual needs. Customers with FIS and Soda Health-integrated benefit cards will now be able to use them to buy eligible food and health items at Albertsons’ banner stores, including Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb and ACME.

Health benefit cards are pre-paid debit cards that are funded by Medicare Advantage plans, employers, healthcare providers or local governments and can be used to make purchases on eligible over-the-counter medicine and wellness care products, as well as nutritious foods, whole grains, fish and poultry. Customers eligible for SNAP and WIC benefits can also use their health benefit cards in conjunction with their EBT account.

Albertsons Cos. continues to partner with benefit card providers Solutran (S3), InComm (OTC Network) and Speak (formerly Speak Retail Group). Most national health plans such as Aetna, Humana, United Healthcare and Centene and many regional plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna offer these benefits. Customers are encouraged to check with their payment provider for a complete list of eligible items.

“Expanding our benefit card partnerships are essential in ensuring that our customers have access to the broadest selection of nutritious food, supplements and OTC medicine that improve their health and well-being,” said Omer Gajial, EVP of Pharmacy and Health at Albertsons Cos. “We are striving to be more than just a neighborhood grocery store; we want to build a deeper connection with our customers, support them in their wellness journey and address hunger in our most vulnerable communities.”

Meanwhile, as part of a company-wide commitment to fight hunger and inspire healthy eating, the Albertsons Companies Foundation has pledged to reduce food insecurity through its Nourishing Neighbors program by increasing the availability of fresh produce and nutritious foods in local area food banks, soup kitchens and community organizations. Additionally, Albertsons Cos. and its Foundation will help 50,000 eligible neighbors enroll in SNAP and WIC benefits in 2023, the company said.