NationsBenefits, a healthcare fintech and supplemental benefits platform, has announced a retail network integration with Marc’s, an Ohio-based discount grocery and pharmacy chain. This partnership enables eligible health plan members to use their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard Prepaid Flex Card at all 61 Marc’s locations across Ohio.
This collaboration aims to support NationsBenefits’ Food as Medicine initiatives by providing access to fresh groceries and essential pharmacy services directly within communities. Michael Parker, Co-CEO of NationsBenefits, stated, “By partnering with Marc’s—known for its fresh fruits and vegetables and community-centered spirit—we are addressing barriers to healthy choices. Now, members can use their Flex Card seamlessly at Marc’s stores to purchase nourishing foods and pick up over-the-counter essentials without any additional steps.”
The integration leverages NationsBenefits’ proprietary Basket Analyzer Service (BAS) technology to streamline benefit adjudication at the point of sale. This system allows for real-time verification of benefit eligibility and applies allowances for grocery, over-the-counter (OTC), or pharmacy items when members present their Flex Card at a Marc’s register, thereby removing the need for manual claims processing.
Through this partnership, NationsBenefits and Marc’s are facilitating access to health-supportive foods and products, including:
Medically Tailored Produce & Meal Kits: Health plans can offer customized meal recommendations, including GLP-1-aligned ingredients and chronic-disease-friendly recipes, which are redeemable via the Flex Card at Marc’s utilizing its daily fresh produce.
Chronic Condition Support & Nutrition Counseling: The Flex Card covers nutritious meal components and snack options for members managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or weight-loss goals, with selections designed by registered dietitians in collaboration with NationsBenefits.
Each transaction processed through the BAS generates anonymized, ZIP code-level data, offering health plans insights into shopping and usage patterns. These analytics are intended to inform benefit design, optimize rewards and incentives, and contribute to a better understanding of social determinants of health at the community level. This integration expands retail access for NationsBenefits members and provides health plans with a tool for delivering personalized, data-driven care, aiming to close care gaps and advance health equity.
