Albertsons Companies announced Wednesday (March 30) that its customers can now use supplemental benefits to buy over-the-counter medicines and fresh produce.
According to the press release, eligible customers can conveniently use prepaid cards funded through Medicare Advantage plans, employer incentives, healthcare providers or local governments.
Albertsons has reportedly been working with numerous tech payment platforms, including Solutran’s S3, to allow cardholders to use their health plan funds to buy various products. Solutran President Mike Rahman said Albertsons being a “very popular shopping destination” for Medicare Advantage members made this a strong idea.
“We are committed to offering solutions that deliver access to healthy produce and meals, reduce food insecurity and provide solutions for chronic condition management,” Omer Gajial, executive vice president of pharmacy and health at Albertsons Companies, said in the release. “Using supplemental benefits enables shoppers to conveniently shop for fresh food and over-the-counter medications contributing to their overall health and well-being.”
Albertsons also takes Fresh Bucks, a local government supplemental program supported by S3. The program launched in Seattle to help consumers afford fruits and vegetables, and the company said it is working to expanding similar programs to more stores.
Late last year, PYMNTS wrote that Albertsons rolled out a new set of programs for meal planning and shopping planning.
Read more: Albertsons Debuts Meal Planning Solutions and Auto-Replenishment Features
The programs, called Meal Planning and Schedule & Save, give loyalty members access to shortcuts to save things they like and integrate meal planning. They’re both part of the company’s goal to add more digital offerings and “improve all aspects” of the business.
“Our customers continue to look for new ways to save time and money when planning meals and shopping at their neighborhood Albertsons Cos. banner store,” Chris Rupp, Albertsons’ executive vice president and chief customer and digital officer, said at the time.
Rupp said the new features are “important ways we’re helping customers reduce the effort associated with grocery shopping so they can spend the time enjoying meals with family and friends.”
Albertson’s Meal Plans feature integrates the meal planning app Mealime in order to help customers get personalized ways to cook “thousands” of recipes. Meanwhile, Schedule & Save offers a way for members to make sure their favorite essentials are in stock.
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