Hy-Vee offers health and wellness benefits via new partnership
Hy-Vee Inc. is collaborating with a health tech startup in an effort to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy living.
The regional Midwest grocery/convenience chain is launching a new “Smart Benefits” program that allows recipients to receive personalized health and wellness benefits at all Hy-Vee locations. Offered in partnership with health tech startup Soda Health Inc., which recently teamed with grocery retailer Kroger to roll out a similar initiative, the program personalizes and delivers benefits down to the SKU level.
Through the program, recipients can receive personalized benefits in areas such as fresh produce, over-the-counter pharmacy items, clinical services, and nutritional counseling.
Recipients will also receive personalized health support, including reminders about health screenings, vaccinations, prescription refills and information about medical supplies that relate to their specific health conditions. The partnership utilizes Hy-Vee registered dietitians and its network of more than 275 retail pharmacies.
The program is funded by insurance plans and other health benefits organizations. Employer groups can create customized benefit plans and can include incentives like gift cards, fuel discounts, and exclusive coupons. The benefits can also be used to pay for transportation to medical appointments and personal utility bills.
Other retailers and entities actively participating in the healthcare and discount prescriptions space include Walgreens, Amazon, GNC and billionaire and TV personality Mark Cuban.
“Through this new program, we make managing health easier for our customers,” said Aaron Wiese, president of Hy-Vee. “As a trusted grocer and a health care provider, we are uniquely positioned to reach and engage with individuals in the Midwest and beyond as we help support them in their health journey. Soda Health offers an innovative benefits platform that complements our expertise in food, nutrition and pharmacy, so ultimately, we can help improve a person’s overall health.”
“Hy-Vee is one of the most innovative retailers in the country that has established a reputation for its customer experience and enhanced pharmacy services,” said Robby Knight, CEO and co-founder of Soda Health. “Hy-Vee, participating health plans and Soda Health will offer a whole-health approach and partner to reduce administrative costs, so those funds can be reinvested back in areas that help consumers improve their health outcomes. Together, we are bringing localized, personalized, comprehensive health care to customers who need it most at the locations they visit the most.”
Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 550 retail stores across eight Midwestern states – Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.