NationsBenefits®, the leading healthcare fintech and supplemental-benefits platform, today announced its latest retail network integration with Marc’s, one of Ohio’s premier discount grocery-and-pharmacy chains. Eligible health plan members can now use their NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Flex Card—powered by our real-time Basket Analyzer Service (BAS)—at all 61 Marc’s locations. This partnership empowers NationsBenefits to scale its Food as Medicine initiatives, delivering fresh, nutrient-rich groceries and essential pharmacy services directly to neighborhoods and making healthy living accessible for all.
“At NationsBenefits, we believe food is a crucial component of whole-person care,” said Michael Parker, Co-CEO of NationsBenefits. “By partnering with Marc’s—known for its fresh fruits and vegetables and community-centered spirit—we are removing 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 extra steps.”
Building on this philosophy, our integration with Marc’s leverages our proprietary BAS technology to streamline benefit adjudication and enhance personalized care at the point of sale. Similarly, to ensure individuals have easy access to the foods and products that support their health journeys, NationsBenefits and Marc’s are empowering shoppers to make informed nutrition and wellness decisions through:
- Medically Tailored Produce & Meal Kits: Health plans can now offer customized meal recommendations—complete with GLP-1-aligned ingredients and chronic-disease–friendly recipes—redeemable via Flex Card utilizing Marc’s fresh fruits and vegetables delivered daily.
- Chronic Condition Support & Nutrition Counseling: For members managing diabetes, hypertension, or weight-loss goals, the Flex Card covers nutritious meal components and snack options designed by registered dietitians in collaboration with NationsBenefits.
Our real-time Basket Analyzer Service (BAS) is at the heart of this collaboration. As members present their Flex Card at Marc’s register, BAS instantly verifies benefit eligibility and applies allowances for grocery, OTC, or pharmacy items—eliminating the need for manual claims and reducing out-of-pocket surprises. Each transaction also generates anonymized, ZIP code–level data, providing health plans with insights into shopping and usage patterns. These analytics drive smarter benefit design, optimized rewards & incentives, and a clearer understanding of social determinants of health at the community level.
By integrating our technology with Marc’s, NationsBenefits not only expands retail access for members but also empowers health plans to deliver truly personalized, data-driven care. This partnership exemplifies how innovative fintech and community-focused grocery retail can work together to close care gaps, advance health equity, and transform everyday shopping into meaningful wellness opportunities.
About Marc’s
Since 1979, Marc’s has been offering guests great selection, high-quality foods and essentials at everyday low prices. Today, Marc’s is proud to be serving communities throughout Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown and Columbus, Ohio with 60+ locations. We offer fresh foods including meat, produce, deli meats, cheeses, dairy and prepared foods, plus frozen foods, pantry staples, household, health and beauty, pet supplies and more! You’ll find a huge selection of national and budget-friendly brands, our very own Marc’s brand, plus local favorites. Marc’s is locally owned and operated in Cleveland, Ohio and continually strives to be the very best at serving the needs of our customers and the communities we serve.
About NationsBenefits®
NationsBenefits is the leading provider of supplemental benefits and fintech solutions and outcomes to the healthcare industry. NationsBenefits partners with managed care organizations to provide innovative healthcare, data analytics, gap closure, and fintech solutions aimed at driving growth, reducing costs, and delighting members. Combining its cutting-edge technology with targeted retailer partnerships, NationsBenefits empowers health plans to deliver impactful supplemental benefits to optimize member experiences and drive better health outcomes. By simplifying processes to make smarter choices and expanding access to benefits solutions, NationsBenefits aims to improve each of its members’ quality of life through its revolutionary and comprehensive suite of offerings. To learn more, visit NationsBenefits.com.
The Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The card can be used for eligible expenses wherever Mastercard is accepted. Valid only in the U.S. No cash access.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250617371027/en/
“By partnering with Marc’s—known for its fresh fruits and vegetables and community-centered spirit—we are removing barriers to healthy choices."
Contacts
Media Contact:
Ashlee Piga
ashlee@noblestreammarketing.com
